Colorado State Rams Overcome Nevada Wolf Pack in Hard-Fought Victory
Fort Collins, CO – The Colorado State Rams secured a 70-59 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Wednesday, February 17, 2026, demonstrating resilience and a second-half surge that solidified their position in Mountain West Conference play. The win wasn’t without its challenges, as Nevada presented a physical and aggressive challenge, particularly in the first half.
First-Half Struggles and a Halftime Reset
The Wolf Pack’s early intensity led to six first-half turnovers for the Rams, resulting in 13 Nevada points. Missed opportunities and defensive lapses allowed Nevada to maintain a competitive edge, entering halftime with a narrow one-point lead. “Nevada really came to play, and we knew they would,” said Rams coach Ryun Williams. “The message was, let’s be ready to go right out of the gate. It took a half to figure that out. Apparently our kids didn’t believe us, that Nevada was here to play. We had to dig in the toughness bag at halftime, because they definitely out-toughed us.”
Second-Half Dominance and Key Performances
The Rams responded emphatically after halftime, clamping down defensively and limiting Nevada to just five points in the third quarter. The offensive flow shifted towards Madelyn Bragg and Kloe Froebe, who both finished with 17 points. Bragg also secured her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, showcasing growing confidence. Froebe was steady and composed, shooting 6-of-11 from the field.
Coach Williams highlighted the change in Bragg’s assertiveness in recent games, noting a visible increase in her determination and desire to score.
Responding to Nevada’s Size and Pressure
Despite Nevada boasting four players 6-foot-2 or taller, the Rams found ways to counter their size advantage. When Nevada focused on containing Bragg, Colorado State effectively moved the ball and knocked down crucial three-pointers. Lexus Bargesser, despite a slow start with four first-quarter turnovers and a 1-of-9 shooting line through three quarters, demonstrated maturity by resetting and hitting all her shots in the fourth quarter.
“You’ve got to maintain playing,” Williams emphasized. “You can’t let what happened the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter affect the next play. It’s that next play mentality … that’s what mature teams do.”
Depth and Team Chemistry
The Rams showcased their depth as Jadyn Fife and Marta Leimane logged significant minutes due to foul trouble for Brooke Carlson and Hannah Ronsiek. The team’s chemistry remained strong throughout, contributing to their ability to withstand the pressure.
Looking Ahead: Tournament Mentality
With seeding secured, every possession carries postseason weight. “These last games, they’re basically tournament games,” Williams stated. “Every environment is going to be that, and every possession you need to treat like it’s the most important possession of the night.”
Bragg echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the target on their backs and the need to perform consistently against all opponents. “At this time of the year, teams like Wyoming and teams like Nevada have absolutely nothing to lose,” she said. “You guys saw it tonight, Nevada came out. They were tougher than us in the first half and… we have a huge target on our back. So we need to come out and perform every night, especially against teams that are technically ranked lower than us because they want nothing more than to beat us and ruin our season.”
As February transitions into March, Colorado State is demonstrating the resilience and resolve needed to navigate the challenges of tournament play.