CSU Women's Basketball Wins Mountain West Title Over Air Force

Rams claim first conference championship since 2016 despite key injury

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Colorado State women's basketball defeated Air Force 56-42 on Tuesday to win the Mountain West Conference championship, their first title since 2016. The Rams overcame the loss of leading scorer Lexus Bargesser to injury, with Madelyn Bragg and Brooke Carlson stepping up to lead the team to victory.

Why it matters

This championship win marks a significant accomplishment for the CSU women's basketball program, as they were able to overcome adversity and claim the conference title despite not having a perfect season. The Rams' defensive intensity and ability to win close games have been hallmarks of their success this year.

The details

CSU played a tight, defensive-minded game, limiting Air Force's scoring opportunities and forcing the Falcons to shoot just 26% from the field and 16% from three-point range. Madelyn Bragg had an efficient 7-of-8 shooting performance to help swing momentum in the fourth quarter, while Brooke Carlson provided stability at the free throw line, going 12-of-15. No single Ram had a dominant individual performance, but the team's collective effort and poise down the stretch proved to be the difference.

  • The Mountain West Conference championship game took place on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • CSU last won the Mountain West title in 2016.

The players

Lexus Bargesser

The leading scorer for Colorado State, Bargesser missed the championship game due to injury.

Madelyn Bragg

A key contributor for CSU, Bragg shot an efficient 7-of-8 from the field to help the Rams pull away in the fourth quarter.

Brooke Carlson

Carlson provided stability for the Rams at the free throw line, going 12-of-15 despite shooting just 4-of-15 from the field.

Hannah Ronsiek

Ronsiek started the game strong for CSU, scoring 5 points in the first quarter, but was unable to maintain that pace throughout the game.

Milahnie Perry

The all-time leading scorer for Air Force, Perry was limited by the Rams' defense, finishing with a team-high 12 points on 26% shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

CSU now moves on to the NCAA Tournament with an automatic bid to the Big Dance. The women's basketball selection Sunday will take place at 6 p.m. MST on March 15, providing clarity on the rest of the postseason outlook for the Rams.

The takeaway

This championship win showcases the Rams' resilience and ability to adapt, as they were able to overcome the loss of their leading scorer and grind out a tough victory against a conference rival. CSU's defensive intensity and team-oriented approach have been the keys to their success this season, and they will look to carry that momentum into the NCAA Tournament.