Is the best women’s college basketball player in Colorado flying under the radar in north Denver at Regis University?
Junior guard Diana Lopez is a prolific catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter, yet she can create her own shot off the drive. A quick defender, she also scores in the open court off steals.
Lopez led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in scoring (21.9 points per game), 3-point shooting percentage (47.5), 3-pointers made (3.57 per game) and steals (3.76 per game) as of Friday.
After winning 2005 RMAC player of the year honors, she told Regis coach Linda Raunig of her plan to handle her emotions better.
“One of her greatest gifts is that she’s really, really competitive,” Raunig said. “In the past, if a team defended her tight or grabbed her jersey or if her shot wasn’t falling, she’d get visibly upset and sometimes she’d take herself out of the game.”
As the Rangers (19-3, 11-0) hit the stretch in their RMAC schedule, Lopez is increasingly able to play at an even keel. In last week’s showdown between undefeated RMAC teams Regis and Metro State, Lopez missed her first four shots but came back with seven 3-pointers, scoring 27 points with five steals and seven rebounds before fouling out one minute into overtime.
Minus Lopez and RMAC assist leader Breanne Burley, who has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a separated shoulder, Regis reserve guards Stevi Seitz and Jenny Vieira handled the Roadrunners’ pressure defense the rest of the way as Regis won 79-69.
Though Regis was turnover-prone, with 15 of its 30 miscues against the Roadrunners’ relentless press, the Rangers prevailed, thanks to better rebounding, 50-34, and higher-percentage shooting, 43.3-37.9.
Lopez was held to eight points Saturday against Nebraska-Kearney.
The Rangers expect another highly charged contest against Fort Hays State and its scoring leader, Ashlee Gustin next Saturday.
Gustin threw a vicious elbow that floored Lopez last season, sidelining her several weeks with a concussion. She returned for the RMAC Tournament and the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament but was hesitant to make contact.
With each concussion, susceptibility to the injury increases. Lopez suffered a mild concussion in November when she was hit in the face in practice. After sitting out a week, her headaches disappeared.
Footnote
Theresa “T.D.” Newton and Corinne (Deters) Veltien were inducted into the Regis Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Newton, the all-time assists leader (564), was known for no-look and behind-the-head passes, often surprising open teammates.
Deters ranks second in career scoring (1,308) and first in free throws made (379) and attempted (474).
