At 25-6 and the top seed in the RMAC, the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) women’s basketball team’s season ended sooner than they had hoped. After a dominant regular season and a deep conference tournament run, the Mavericks’ NCAA Division II tournament journey was cut short in a tightly contested battle.
The Mavericks entered the NCAA Tournament after falling just short in the RMAC Tournament championship game, losing to University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) 63-61.
After cruising through the first two rounds of the RMAC playoffs, the Mavs were set to face UCCS in the RMAC championship. Having bested the Mountain Lions 62-58 in their last matchup, the Mavs wanted to continue the same pace.
CMU dominated early, building a 15-point lead in the second quarter and controlling the game for all but one minute and 41 seconds. However, foul trouble and UCCS’ late-game resilience proved costly.
UCCS didn’t take its first lead until 5:34, but they stayed in the fight. Senior forward Brooklyn Palmer responded with a three-point play, but the Mountain Lions clawed back, tying the game three times in the final four minutes.
The Mavs were without junior forward Olivia ReedThyne, who fouled out with 3:05 left after battling foul trouble since the third quarter. Palmer stepped up, grabbing her own rebound and sinking two clutch free throws to tie the game at 61 with 22 seconds left.
The Mountain Lions stormed down the court, looking for a lead-changing shot. They ultimately got
a shot in the lane with 2.7 seconds left. CMU had one final chance when senior guard Riley Hayes got off a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it bounced off the rim, sealing UCCS’ victory.
Despite the loss, CMU remained in the mix for the NCAA tournament, securing a bid with their first-seed position atop the RMAC.
“Anything can happen in a tournament, we’ve got to be ready for everything […], everything will be a battle,” said head coach Taylor Wagner.
CMU entered the NCAA Tournament determined to put the RMAC championship loss behind them. As the No. 1 seed in the South Central Region, the Mavericks were poised to make a deep run. But their season came to a heartbreaking close in the first round against No. 8-seed Eastern New Mexico, falling 56-52 in a defensive battle.
Reed-Thyne started strong, scoring 21 points in the first half to keep CMU in the game, but Eastern
New Mexico’s defensive adjustments in the second half stifled the Mavericks’ offense. CMU struggled from the field, shooting just 33.3% and going 2-of-14 from three-point range. Foul trouble once again proved costly, with Reed-Thyne held scoreless in the third quarter as Eastern New Mexico took control.
Down by four entering the final period, CMU fought back. Reed Thyne’s layup with just over two minutes left brought the Mavericks within a possession, but missed opportunities in the final
minute sealed their fate.
Eastern New Mexico left the door open by missing key free throws, but CMU couldn’t capitalize, with a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer falling short. Despite the tough ending, the Mavericks put together one of the best seasons in program history. CMU finished 25-6, won their second consecutive RMAC regular-season title and went on an 18-game win streak to start 2025.
Reed-Thyne, the two-time RMAC Player of the Year, delivered another historic season, averaging 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. She posted 19 double doubles, broke CMU’s single-season field goals record with 279, and moved up to No. 2 on the program’s all-time scoring list, totaling 1,596. Days after the season ended, Reed-Thyne earned her second straight WBCA Division II All-America honorable mention.
“It’s a great honor. We have so many great players in our league, and to be honored with that award is very special,” said Reed Thyne.
While seniors like Palmer and Hayes will be missed, CMU has plenty to build on. With Reed Thyne leading the charge, along with the return of key contributors like junior guard Mykaela Moore and redshirt sophomore Macy Larsen, the Mavericks will look to come back even stronger next season.
“Everything off the court is just on point with them, and that’s and not to say I’d never loved another team. We’re in the moment right now. I really love these guys and […] they just they’re competitors, and I know I coach hard, so I really appreciate it when those girls just get after it and they leave everything out on the floor,” said Wagner.
Although their road to glory may have been cut short, CMU’s dominance in the RMAC and national recognition shows how the program holds promise in the near future. The Mavs will be back for the 2025- 26 season, looking to build off of last season’s success