SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Lexus Bargesser scored 22 points to lead Colorado State to a 69-52 victory over San Francisco in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Rams used a dominant 30-point third quarter to break open a tight contest. Colorado State led by just three points at halftime but outscored the Dons by 13 in the period to secure the win. Hannah Ronsiek added 13 points and Kloe Froebe scored 12 for Colorado State, which improved to 9-2. Natasa Tausova led San Francisco with 14 points. The Dons fell to 6-4. Colorado State held decisive advantages in points in the paint and points off turnovers. An announced crowd of 156 attended the game.

SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Colorado State women’s basketball team to a decisive 69-52 road victory over San Francisco on Saturday night at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Rams, who improved to 9-2, turned a narrow halftime lead into a comfortable advantage by outscoring the Dons 30-17 in the pivotal third period. The game, witnessed by an announced crowd of 156, was effectively decided by that 10-minute stretch, which saw Colorado State transform a three-point lead into a 16-point cushion entering the final quarter. Lexus Bargesser, a 5-foot-9 guard from Grass Lake, Michigan, led all scorers with 22 points, including 10 in the third quarter, to go along with four assists. Her backcourt partner, Kloe Froebe of Lincoln, Illinois, added 12 points and three assists, while Hannah Ronsiek of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, chipped in 13 points. The trio combined for 47 of Colorado State’s points. San Francisco, which fell to 6-4, was led by Natasa Tausova’s 14 points. The 6-foot-2 forward from Poprad, Slovakia, was the only Don to reach double figures. Olivia Williams, a local product from South San Francisco, contributed six points and two blocks off the bench. The first half was a defensive struggle defined by poor shooting and turnovers. Both teams combined to shoot just 13 of 52 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. San Francisco held a 15-13 lead after the first quarter, but a cold second period in which they managed only nine points allowed Colorado State to take a 27-24 lead into the break. The game’s complexion changed entirely after halftime. Colorado State’s offense found its rhythm, shooting 50% from the field in the third quarter. The Rams opened the period on a 12-2 run, sparked by Bargesser, who scored or assisted on eight of those points. Her driving layup with 8:23 left in the quarter gave Colorado State a 36-28 lead, forcing a San Francisco timeout. The Rams continued to apply pressure, extending the run and capitalizing on Don turnovers to build an insurmountable lead. Defense was the foundation of Colorado State’s victory. The Rams held San Francisco to 28.3% shooting for the game, including just 27.3% from three-point range. Colorado State also forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 16 points, while committing only 11 of their own. The Rams dominated inside, outscoring the Dons 28-14 in the paint. San Francisco’s offensive struggles were encapsulated by an offensive rating of 73.8 points per 100 possessions, compared to Colorado State’s 97.2. The Dons also managed only six assists on 15 made field goals. Beyond the key trio, Marta Leimane of Ventspils, Latvia, provided a valuable nine points for the Rams. For San Francisco, Aina Cargol of Olot, Spain, scored eight points, while Candy Edokpaigbe of Naples, Italy, added nine points and seven rebounds. The win marked a bounce-back performance for Colorado State following a 70-58 home loss to Utah on Dec. 4. San Francisco, meanwhile, has now dropped two of its last three games after a 67-44 loss at Arizona State on Dec. 6. Colorado State will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Nevada on Wednesday. San Francisco will remain at home to host Sacramento State on the same night. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Colorado State entered the contest with a 52.70% probability to win, a projection they exceeded with their second-half performance. The victory was Colorado State’s second in a true road game this season, adding to a win at Gonzaga on Nov. 13.

Preview: Colorado State Rams at San Francisco Dons SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Two teams riding opposite momentum will meet Saturday when the Colorado State Rams visit the San Francisco Dons in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Rams (8-2) enter on a high note, having routed Southern Utah 70-47 last Sunday. Guard Lexus Bargesser led the way with 23 points and five assists, continuing a stellar season for the junior. Bargesser has scored 19 or more points in four of her last six games, including a 23-point effort in a narrow two-point road loss to then-Stanford on Nov. 29. Colorado State’s two losses are by a combined 14 points to quality opponents in Stanford and Utah. San Francisco (6-3), meanwhile, looks to rebound from a tough 67-44 road loss at Arizona State last Saturday. The Dons’ offense struggled, shooting just 29% from the field. Forward Candy Edokpaigbe was a bright spot with 17 points and five rebounds, extending her run of strong play. The senior has been a consistent force, scoring in double figures in every game this season and averaging 20.2 points over her last five contests. The matchup in the paint will be critical. Edokpaigbe’s interior scoring for the Dons will test a Colorado State defense that has held eight opponents under 60 points this season. Conversely, Bargesser’s dynamic perimeter play for the Rams will challenge a San Francisco defense coming off a subpar performance. Historically, the home court has been kind to San Francisco, which is 4-1 at War Memorial this season. Colorado State has proven capable on the road, with key victories at Gonzaga and Oregon State already on its resume. This game serves as a final tune-up before both teams enter extended holiday breaks. Colorado State visits Nevada next Wednesday, while San Francisco hosts Sacramento State the same day. Saturday’s tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. PST.