The CMU women’s basketball team is rolling. After a dominant weekend at the Maverick Thanksgiving Classic, the Mavericks extended their win streak to five and moved to 8–1 on the year, showing the same strength that has carried them through the opening month of the season.
CMU followed up their 81–52 win over Simon Fraser with a 92–53 rout of Sul Ross State, closing out the homestand with two of their sharpest offensive performances so far.
Against Simon Fraser, CMU shot 52.5 percent from the field, won every quarter, and owned the paint with a 44–20 scoring advantage inside. The Mavericks also dominated the glass and forced 17 turnovers, which tied directly into how fast and clean their offense operated.
Senior forward Olivia Reed Thyne had another milestone game, breaking the program’s career field-goals record and pushing it to 701. She finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and four steals, all in a classic all-around performance from someone who’s been at the center of CMU’s early success.
Senior guard Mykaela Moore added 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting, and redshirt sophomore guard Mason Rowland chipped in 16. CMU also held the Simon Fraser Red Leafs to just 31.3% from the field overall.
The matchup with Sul Ross State was even more lopsided. The Mavericks shot 55.4%from the field, nearly 46% from three and 90% at the line. They led for over 39 minutes, extending the margin to as many as 48 points.
Reed Thyne led all scorers with 26 points on 12-of-16 shooting in just three quarters. Rowland added 17 points and six rebounds, and 14 different players saw action —11 of them scoring— giving CMU the kind of depth that can only help them heading into RMAC play.
CMU’s strong start goes beyond their impressive shooting numbers. The defense has consistently tightened each week, and showed real separation in their home opener.
Against Simon Fraser, the Mavericks held the Red Leafs to 31% shooting and locked up their leading scorer. Against Sul Ross State, they allowed just two made field goals in the second quarter and used that to build a 29–12 run that broke the game open.
During their current five-game streak, the Mavericks are holding opponents to just over 54 points per game, a reflection of just how connected the team has become this year.
Rowland said the team’s growth on the defensive end has been noticeable.
“Our energy on defense has been the biggest difference. We’re getting stops and turning those stops into offense, which has made the game more fun,” Rowland said. “Our connection keeps growing every week, on and off the court. Everyone has a role and contributes equally to the success we’ve had so far. And the best part is we haven’t even reached our full potential yet. Knowing we can gut out wins now is reassuring heading into RMAC play.”
With more new faces in the rotation than in recent years, CMU’s growing chemistry has been just as important as its win totals.
“We never want to get comfortable or complacent. We keep each other accountable and push one another to a high standard,” Moore said. “Each week our confidence and chemistry get stronger. With so many new players, building that bond has been a big focus, and lately we’ve started to see glimpses of how good we can be when we really play together.”
Between new records, improving depth and consistent defensive pressure, CMU is hitting its stride at the right time. With two non-conference games left before RMAC play begins, the Mavericks have positioned themselves well for the stretch ahead.
