Ram Women Run Away From Utah State in 90-59 Win

It was the Cali and Karly show as CSU’s post players Cali Clark and Karly Murphy combined for 30 points and 22 rebounds in a combined 37 minutes on the floor, leading the Rams to a resounding win in their return to Moby.

Not the usual modus operandi for the Rams, who are used to being led by the backcourt of tandem of McKenna Hofschild and Torino Williams. And maybe a little bit of a surprise after the Rams had struggled so much in the interior in their previous series at UNLV.

But it came as no surprise to Head Coach Ryun Williams who said post-game,”The 5-spot has been our best position in practice. Tonight they just got the touches.”

Coming off an 11-day layoff, the Rams struggled early, falling behind by as many at 6 points, and they trailed 21-18 after the first quarter. They pushed the pace in the second quarter but didn’t really get their noses in front until a late run sent them into the half leading 40-32.

The pace was up at 39 possessions per team but the Rams hadn’t really settled in.

Williams said, “It took us a little bit of time to gain composure. Once we settled in defensively, we could get out and run.”

And run they did as they exploded for 50 second-half points while holding their opponents to 27.

Murphy would finish with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Clark added 11 along with 8 rebounds. Senior Lore Devos delivered 15 and 8, and Hofschild finished with 9 points and 9 assists.

With the win, the Rams moved their season record to 9-2 overall, and 5-2 in the MWC. The two teams meet again on Friday afternoon in the second of the Pandemic Pair.

Cali and Karly

These two players form a unique post tandem.  Callie Clark is a 6’3”freshman from Cherry Creek HS. Karly Murphy is a 6’1” grad transfer from Wisconsin-Green Bay. But even though they share a position, they play as if they are one.

Clark attributed a lot of her development to Murphy. Post-game she said “Carly has been a really good leader for me.  Sometimes being aggressive comes with confidence. And its becoming easier with the players around me.”

Murphy talked post-game about getting the same kind of help from teammates when she was an underclass player at Green Bay.  And her willingness to help Clark in her development, describing her as “already a very good player.”

And when asked about the last time she had 14 rebounds in a game, she laughed when she responded, “Probably high school. Yeah, high school for sure.”

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