Cowgirls’ Late Push Not Enough in 62-48 Setback versus Colorado State
The Wyoming Cowgirls erased much of a sizable first-half deficit but ultimately came up short Saturday afternoon, falling 62-48 to the Colorado State Rams.
Wyoming trailed by as many as 21 points in the opening half before mounting a determined rally that trimmed the margin to four late in the fourth quarter. However, Colorado State responded in the final minutes to secure the Border War victory.
Both teams opened the game struggling to find an offensive rhythm. Henna Sandvik broke the scoring drought for the Cowgirls with a pull-up jumper, but the Rams answered with a 7-0 run to take a 7-4 lead at the first media timeout. Colorado State gradually built separation and carried a 15-8 advantage into the second quarter. Sandvik accounted for six of Wyoming’s eight first-quarter points.
The Rams extended their lead to double digits early in the second as Wyoming continued to search for consistency on the offensive end. A 22-8 deficit midway through the period forced a Cowgirl timeout, but Colorado State maintained control and stretched the lead to 21 before halftime. Heidur Karlsdottir provided Wyoming’s first points of the quarter during that stretch, but the Cowgirls went into the locker room trailing 36-18.
Wyoming showed renewed energy to start the second half. Improved execution cut the deficit to 40-27 early in the third quarter, with Payton Muma providing a key spark. Late three-pointers from Karoline Lundine and Jane Rumpf brought the Cowgirls within 10 heading into the fourth at 48-38.
The rally continued early in the final period. A Sandvik midrange jumper reduced the deficit to single digits, and a Malene Pedersen three-pointer forced a Rams timeout with 6:59 remaining as Wyoming pulled within five. The Cowgirls closed the gap to four shortly after but were unable to capitalize on quality looks that could have tightened the margin further. Colorado State answered with a decisive stretch to put the game away.
Pedersen led Wyoming with 13 points, while Sandvik added 12 as the only Cowgirls in double figures. Muma contributed eight points and Rumpf added six to go along with a team-high 12 rebounds and two blocks. Karlsdottir delivered a strong all-around performance off the bench, finishing with eight rebounds, a career-high four assists, a block and a steal.
Wyoming shot 32.1 percent from the field and 6-of-21 from three-point range. Colorado State connected at a 50 percent clip overall and went 8-of-11 at the free-throw line. The Cowgirls held a plus-six edge in rebounds and second-chance points, but the Rams turned turnovers into a 16-3 advantage and dominated the paint with a 40-14 scoring margin inside.
The Cowgirls now turn their attention to a road trip, beginning with an 11 a.m. matchup Wednesday at Air Force Falcons.