LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The Colorado State Rams used a dominant first quarter to set the tone and never looked back, cruising to a 78-54 victory over the Texas Southern Lady Tigers in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The Rams remained undefeated on the season, improving to 7-0, while the Lady Tigers evened their record at 3-3.

Colorado State seized control of the contest from the opening tip, exploding for 28 points in the first quarter while holding Texas Southern to 15. The 13-point lead established in the opening period proved insurmountable for the Lady Tigers, who were unable to mount a significant challenge for the remainder of the game.

Brooke Carlson, a 5-foot-8 guard from Batavia, Illinois, led all scorers and was the engine of the Rams’ offense. She finished with a game-high 20 points, showcasing her ability to score at all levels and consistently breaking down the Texas Southern defense.

She was complemented by McKenna Murphy, a 5-11 forward from Omaha, Nebraska, who added 17 points. The Rams’ offensive execution was sharp, and their defense was equally disruptive, forcing numerous Lady Tiger turnovers and converting them into points.

Texas Southern found a brief spark in the second quarter, outscoring Colorado State 20-12 to cut the deficit to 40-35 at halftime. However, any momentum gained was swiftly extinguished after the break. The Rams reasserted their defensive dominance in the third quarter, limiting the Lady Tigers to just 12 points and stretching their lead back to double digits.

The fourth quarter saw Colorado State maintain its intensity, matching its third-quarter output with another 19 points while holding Texas Southern to a meager seven, putting the game fully out of reach.

For the Lady Tigers, Daeja Holmes, a 5-9 guard from Fresno, California, and Maci Quiller, a 5-11 guard from Pflugerville, Texas, each contributed 11 points. Jordyn Marshall, a 5-6 guard from Pearland, Texas, added 10 points in the losing effort.

Beyond the leading scorers, Colorado State received balanced contributions. Hannah Ronsiek, a 5-11 guard from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, chipped in 10 points, while Lexus Bargesser, a 5-9 guard from Grass Lake, Michigan, facilitated the offense with three assists. Madelyn Bragg, a 6-2 forward from Aberdeen, South Dakota, provided a strong interior presence with eight points.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Las Vegas. Colorado State was heavily favored entering the contest, a projection they lived up to with a comprehensive team performance. The Rams showcased their depth and offensive firepower, particularly in the game’s decisive opening stanza.

Texas Southern will look to rebound from the loss as it continues a challenging stretch of its schedule. The team’s next contest is on the road against North Texas on Dec. 6. Colorado State, meanwhile, continues its pursuit of a perfect non-conference slate with a high-profile matchup against Stanford, also in Las Vegas, on Saturday.