By Autumn Blue (@Autumnblue3) — Reporter
The San Jose State women’s basketball (5-24, 2-16 MW) is kicking off its first round in the Mountain West Tournament against No. 6 Colorado State Rams (18-10, 9-9 MW) in Las Vegas, Nev.
The last time both teams played against each other in the regular season, the Rams swept the Spartans twice. The first time on Jan 9. 90-64 and again on Feb 12. 84-70.
SJSU will need to keep a very close eye on CSU’s junior guard McKenna Hofschild as she is leading Colorado State with an average of 16.5 ppg, which is the second-most in the MW. Hofschild also leads the conference with 6.61 apg.
Along with Holfschild, graduate forward Karly Murphy is leading the Rams with 9.04 rpg and is also third in the Mountain West.
SJSU’s forward Cyndi Lewis is leading the Spartans with not only rebounding but scoring as well. Lewis is putting up 12.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg.
Based on the Spartans’ and Rams’ previous games, SJSU will need to be on high alert defensively and not let CSU get too far with the lead otherwise the team will be having to fight harder to play catch up.
On the other hand, if SJSU can form a defensive wall around Hofshild and Murphy and keep them from getting to the rim, then the Spartans could have a good chance of advancing to the quarterfinals Monday.
If SJSU wins, it will be up against No. 3 Wyoming State Cowgirls (15-11, 10-2 MW) which the Spartans have not been able to defeat once. Both games against the Cowgirls during the regular season have ended in a 20-point sweep.
The Spartans first round game is available to watch tonight at 7 p.m. on the MW Network.
