The Utah and Colorado State women's basketball programs may be world's apart in the rankings this season, but when the two teams hook up on the hardwood, you might as well take the names off the jerseys, trash the records and consider the arena neutral.
This is a rivalry that has come full circle. The players, no matter who they are, are just enjoying the ride.The No. 15-ranked Rams edged the supposed undermanned Utes, who don't even appear in the "others receving votes" category of either poll, 70-69 at the Huntsman Center Thursday night, as the two teams added yet another thriller to their list of heart stoppers.
Utah came into the game without being given so much as a prayer for hope.
That's what was said, anyway.
It understandable. After all, Colorado State had two senior All-American candidates going up against a Utah team that could be mistaken for a junior high all-star team it is so young.
Becky Hammon and Katie Cronin went up against a Ute team featuring no seniors and only two juniors, but you wouldn't have known it with the way the Utes played.
The Utah defense put a vise on Hammon all night, limiting the senior to six points. Last year, Hammon averaged 24 points a game as she bulldozed her way to WAC Player of the Year honors. But against the Utes, Hammon could not find her game.
"Utah does the best job of defending Becky of anybody in the country," said Ram coach Tom Collen.
In Hammon's offensive absence, Cronin scored 20 points and a big 3-pointer with 1:40 left to put the Rams up five. Lori Red added a pair of free throws and then, after Colorado State's Farah McDill hit two foul shots for the Rams, nailed a 3-pointer to bring the Utes within one at 70-69 with 21.4 seconds left.