Fort Collins – When the Colorado State women shot barely 27 percent in the first half against New Mexico on Saturday, it was the least of the Rams’ problems.
A Lobos outfit hitting 8-of-12 behind the arc before halftime and a suspension-decimated roster of only eight players were far bigger woes in a 73-42 Mountain West Conference loss.
CSU players learned Friday that four teammates – leading scorer Kelly Jo Mullaney, fellow guard Emily Neal, key reserve Raysha Ritter and walk-on Brittney Stirling – are on indefinite suspension for a plastic bottle “bomb” prank against teammate Kelly Finley.
“No one had any intentions of not coming out and competing for a win,” said CSU second-year coach Jen Warden, who was stunned Friday when she learned of the allegations.
But in the battle of MWC losing streaks, CSU had no shot.
New Mexico, the preseason league favorite, came in a surprising 0-3 in league play. CSU, which lost Mullaney and her 14.5 point average to a concussion a week ago, was coming off losses of 86-36 at TCU and 73-57 against Utah.
Neal was Mullaney’s replacement in those games, although Mullaney was expected back soon.
The Rams needed Molly Nohr’s layup with 50 seconds left to avert the second score of the week under 40 points. The basket also pushed Nohr into double figures at 11, the only Ram to exceed nine points.
New Mexico had firepower to spare, with Julie Briody and Katie Montgomery combining for 10-for-15 behind the arc.
“I don’t know that you’re going to get a lot of teams that in the first half shoot 8-for-12 from the 3,” Warden said. “I don’t believe it’s because they had unbelievable (open) looks. They have great shooters.”
Warden couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for the inside defense the short-handed Rams played. “I don’t know if you could ask more of Juanise Cornell.
“She played with her usual sense of urgency,” Warden said of her freshman forward.
CSU personnel woes came as a shock to the visitors.
“We found out this morning,” Shelter said. “We were just like, ‘Oh.”‘
NEW MEXICO (11-6, 1-3 MWC)
Marsh 5-8 1-1 11, Hartill 1-3 1-2 3, Montgomery 7-10 2-2 22, Briody 6-10 0-0 16, Kimble 2-8 2-2 6, Saso 0-2 0-0 0, Weissmann 0-0 0-0 0, Beggin 3-6 0-1 6, Baldwin 0-0 0-0 0, E-Nunu 2-5 1-2 5, Kast 2-5 0-0 4. Totals 28-60 7-10 73.
COLORADO STATE (6-10, 1-3)
Finley 1-3 2-2 5, Cornell 4-14 1-2 9, Moulton 2-3 0-0 4, Hunter 2-10 0-0 4, Nohr 5-13 0-0 11, France 0-2 0-0 0, A. McFarland 1-5 0-1 3, Mason 3-7 0-0 6. Totals 18-57 3-5 42.
Halftime – New Mexico 39-17. 3-point goals – New Mexico 10-20 (Montgomery 6-8, Briody 4-7, Shelter 0-1, Kimble 0-2, Beggin 0-2), Colorado St. 3-11 (Finley 1-2, Nohr 1-2, McFarland 1-4, Hunter 0-3). Fouled out – Moulton. Rebounds – New Mexico 38 (Hartill, Kimble, E-Nunu 6), Colorado St. 36 (Cornell 12). Assists – New Mexico 20 (Montgomery, Briody 5), Colorado St. 10 (Hunter 3). Total fouls – New Mexico 14, Colorado St. 17. A – 1,260.
