Grand Junction is beaming with pride despite a tough ending to a record-breaking season. The Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team fought until the final buzzer but fell 75-70 to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the NCAA Division II national semifinals on Thursday night. It was the first time in program history the Mavericks reached the Final Four.
A Gritty Battle in Pittsburgh
The clash at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh was a heavyweight fight from the opening tip. The Mavericks, carrying a massive 34-game winning streak, faced a resilient IUP squad that refused to back down. While the loss stings, the effort on the court showcased exactly why this team captivated the Grand Junction community all year.
CMU trailed by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter. True to their character, they mounted a furious comeback. Sophomore guard Mason Rowland and star forward Olivia Reed Thyne sparked an 8-2 run that cut the deficit to just four points with minutes remaining. The energy shifted, and for a moment, it looked like the “Mavs Magic” might strike again. However, IUP held steady at the free-throw line to seal the victory.
“That run IUP came out on, it was a bit of a shock,” Rowland said after the game. “We battled back. At the end of the day, we stayed true to who we were. But they came out ready to play.”
Grand Junction Cheering from Afar
Hundreds of miles away, the spirit in Grand Junction was electric. Fans packed the viewing spaces at Brownson Arena to watch the game on the big screen. The atmosphere rivaled a home game, with students, staff, and community members donning maroon and gold to support their team.
Haley Hahn, Community Relations Manager at CMU, noted how loud the arena became. “Even in the five minutes that I was watching, people were screaming and cheering. I feel like those words of encouragement were hopefully echoing across the country,” she said.
The watch party proved that this team’s impact goes beyond the scoreboard. Students described a deep connection with the players.
- Community Bond: Fans feel a personal link to the players.
- Shared Pride: The “historic run” brought the campus together.
- Lasting Impact: The spotlight on women’s sports has inspired a new generation of local fans.
“I thought it was really exciting and really cool,” said Kate Musgrove, a CMU student. “Sometimes you don’t get to see a lot of spotlight on women’s sports, and I thought that this was a fantastic opportunity for all of us to really celebrate that.”
Record-Breaking Season by the Numbers
It is impossible to ignore the statistical dominance displayed by Colorado Mesa this year. The Mavericks finished with a jaw-dropping 37-2 overall record. Their only previous loss came back in November against West Texas A&M. Since then, they rattled off 34 consecutive wins, a streak that will be remembered for decades.
Olivia Reed Thyne capped off her dynamic season with a monster performance. She poured in 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the semifinal loss. It was her 23rd double-double of the season. She has been the engine of the offense, leading NCAA Division II in both points and rebounds for much of the year.
“They represent the best of who we are. They’re great kids, they’re great students, they’re great leaders in the community.”
— *John Marshall, CMU President*
Mason Rowland added 27 points and 10 rebounds, proving that the Mavericks have depth and young talent ready to carry the torch. The duo combined for 61 of the team’s 70 points, an incredible display of offensive firepower on the national stage.
Heads Held High for the Future
The pain of the loss is fresh, but the future looks bright for Head Coach Taylor Wagner and his program. Reaching the national semifinals is a new benchmark for CMU basketball. The experience gained by playing on the biggest stage in Division II will be invaluable for the returning players.
“Not the outcome we wanted, but we’re so proud of them and we can’t wait to welcome them back,” said CMU staff member Robin Brown.
The sentiment across campus is one of gratitude rather than disappointment. Ava Blanco, a CMU beach volleyball player, summed up the campus mood perfectly.
“They worked their butts off. It was amazing,” Blanco said. “Getting back to campus, they should be congratulated and honored for the work that they put in this season. It did not go unrecognized.”
As the team returns to Grand Junction, they do so not as a team that lost a semifinal, but as a team that set a new standard for excellence. The 2025-26 Mavericks have left a legacy that will inspire future squads to dream even bigger.
The Mavericks may have fallen just short of the championship game, but they won the hearts of their community. This historic run proved that CMU belongs among the nation’s elite. Now, the work begins to get back there next year.
What was your favorite moment from this historic CMU season? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let the team know you are proud by using #MavsPride on social media!
