Big Second-Half Runs Lift Otero College Past Trinidad State, 79-68

Otero College used a series of decisive runs across the middle quarters to pull away from Trinidad State and secure a 79-68 home win Thursday night at the McDivitt Center in La Junta, Colorado.

The Rattlers women’s basketball team shook off a slow start offensively but still held an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. Otero then seized control in the second quarter with a 12-0 surge that stretched the advantage to 15 points before taking a 37-25 lead into halftime. The extended run on both ends of the floor marked a turning point, as the Rattlers began to speed up the tempo and clamp down defensively on the visiting Trojans.

Otero kept the pressure on coming out of the locker room, putting together a 15-2 run in the third quarter to push the margin to as many as 25 points. The Rattlers continued to get stops and convert in transition, building a cushion that allowed them to absorb Trinidad State’s late push. In the fourth quarter, Otero answered another Trojan surge with a 13-5 run, maintaining a lead that grew to as many as 20 before closing out the 11-point victory.

Forward Itxasne Fernandez Arguello led the Rattlers’ balanced attack with a game-high 22 points, providing a consistent scoring option throughout the night. Freshman guard Brooklyn Kaiser delivered an efficient performance, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 at the free-throw line. Kaiser’s timely baskets helped fuel Otero’s big stretches in the second and third quarters.

Kaelani Albert-Neha added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the inside presence for Otero on both ends of the floor. Her work on the glass helped limit Trinidad State to one shot on many possessions while creating second-chance opportunities for the Rattlers. Behind those three standout efforts, Otero generated enough offense to keep Trinidad State at arm’s length for most of the second half.

With the win, the Rattlers demonstrated their ability to respond after a slow opening stretch by stringing together extended scoring runs and committing to defensive pressure. The performance against Trinidad State gives Otero momentum as the schedule moves deeper into February, with the team showing it can rely on multiple scoring options and strong rebounding to close out conference opponents.