FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — Colorado State overcame a slow start to defeat Utah State 55-46 in a Mountain West women’s basketball game Saturday at Moby Arena. The Rams, improving to 11-2, trailed 14-5 after one quarter but seized control with an 18-3 third-quarter advantage. Utah State (5-6) mounted a late push, outscoring Colorado State 22-19 in the fourth, but the early deficit proved too large. Hannah Ronsiek, Brooke Carlson and Madelyn Bragg each scored 12 points for Colorado State. Marina Asensio led Utah State with 10 points. The Rams dominated inside, scoring 26 points in the paint to the Aggies’ 14, and outrebounded Utah State 13-5 on the offensive glass. A crowd of 1,598 attended.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — The Colorado State Rams weathered a frigid start and a furious late rally to secure a 55-46 victory over the Utah State Aggies in a Mountain West women’s basketball game Saturday at Moby Arena. The game’s defining stretch was a dominant third-quarter performance by the Rams, who turned a narrow halftime lead into a commanding double-digit advantage that ultimately proved insurmountable despite Utah State’s fourth-quarter surge. Utah State opened the game with unexpected sharpness, sprinting to a 14-5 lead after the first quarter. The Aggies hit three early 3-pointers, two from Sophie Sene, and stifled Colorado State’s offense, which managed just two field goals in the opening period. The Rams’ struggles continued into the early second quarter, but they slowly chipped away at the deficit. A 13-7 edge in the second quarter, fueled by interior play and free throws, gave Colorado State an 18-17 halftime lead in a low-scoring, defensive struggle. The complexion of the game changed entirely after halftime. Colorado State emerged from the break with decisive energy, embarking on an 18-3 run in the third quarter. The Rams locked down defensively, holding Utah State to a single field goal in the period. Offensively, they attacked the paint and found rhythm, with Kloe Froebe and Madelyn Bragg providing key baskets. By the time the quarter ended, the Rams had built a 36-20 lead, having outscored the Aggies 18-3 in the frame. Facing a 16-point deficit, Utah State mounted a determined comeback in the final period. The Aggies’ offense, dormant for much of the second and third quarters, finally found its stroke from beyond the arc. Marina Asensio hit two fourth-quarter 3-pointers as part of a 22-point outburst for Utah State in the final ten minutes. The Aggies’ full-court pressure also forced several Colorado State turnovers, trimming the lead to as few as six points in the final minutes. However, the Rams’ early second-half work provided enough cushion. Colorado State consistently answered Utah State’s runs with critical free throws down the stretch. Hannah Ronsiek and Brooke Carlson combined for several clutch makes from the line in the final two minutes to seal the victory before an announced crowd of 1,598. Ronsiek, a guard from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, led Colorado State with 12 points, adding two assists and a block in 38 minutes. Carlson, from Batavia, Illinois, also scored 12 points and dished out three assists. Bragg provided a significant boost off the bench with 12 points in just 19 minutes. For Utah State, Asensio, a guard from Sabadell, Spain, led the way with 10 points and three assists. Sene, from Nice, France, added nine points, all in the first quarter. Statistically, the game was a battle of poor shooting, but Colorado State’s advantages in key areas told the story. The Rams outscored Utah State 26-14 in the paint and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds to the Aggies’ five, leading to 16 second-chance points. Colorado State also attempted nine more free throws, making 16 to Utah State’s 11. Both teams struggled from the field, with Utah State shooting 26.4% and Colorado State shooting 31%. From 3-point range, the Aggies were 7 of 28 while the Rams were just 3 of 17. With the win, Colorado State improved to 11-2 overall and continued its strong start to the season. Utah State fell to 5-6. The Rams were heavily favored entering the contest, with statistical models giving them a 98.5% probability to win. Colorado State next plays at Grand Canyon on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Utah State returns home to host San Jose State on the same date.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — A surging Colorado State women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong start when it hosts a Utah State squad seeking consistency in a Mountain West Conference matchup Saturday at Moby Arena. The Rams (10-2) have won seven of their last eight games, including a 61-48 road victory at Nevada on Wednesday. Their defense has been a hallmark, holding opponents to 52.8 points per game during that stretch. Senior forward Hannah Ronsiek has been a steady force, averaging 10.3 points over her last three contests. She anchors a balanced Colorado State attack that features four players averaging between 9.5 and 11.5 points per game. Utah State (5-5) arrives after a 65-53 home win over Air Force, which snapped a two-game skid. The Aggies’ season has been marked by volatility, with wins followed by double-digit losses. Their success hinges heavily on the play of dynamic guard Aaliyah Gayles. The sophomore is averaging 16.8 points over her last five games, including a 19-point, 4-assist performance against Air Force. Support from Sophie Sene and Marina Asensio will be critical against a stout Rams defense. The matchup presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Colorado State’s resume includes a notable road win at Oregon State and a narrow two-point loss at Stanford. Utah State has struggled against high-major competition, falling by 36 at Oregon and 37 to in-state foe Utah. Saturday’s game opens the conference slate for both teams. The Rams will rely on their home-court advantage, where they are 5-1 this season, while the Aggies aim to steal a road victory behind Gayles’ offensive firepower. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MST. Up Next: Utah State hosts San Jose State on Dec. 31. Colorado State travels to face Grand Canyon on Dec. 31.