LOVELAND, Colo. – After falling behind 12-3 in the first half the fans and the Colorado Chill (14-6) got what they had been waiting for all season, a Becky Hammon sighting.

Four minutes into the game, Hammon saw her first action of the 2004 National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) season and helped the Chill to a 70-66 come from behind victory over the visiting Birmingham Power (8-12).

In 21 minutes of action, Hammon tied current Chill and former Colorado State teammate Katie Cronin with a team-high 16 points. Hammon misfired on her first two attempts in the game, but rallied to finish the afternoon 5-of-9 from the floor, and 4-of-4 from deep.

Joining Hammon and Cronin in double-figures for Colorado was Maren Walseth, as she scored 11 points and pulled-down a team-high seven rebounds.

Hammon was not the only Chill player returning to action for Colorado. Shooting guard Edna Campbell had missed the last six games with an injury, but returned against the Power to score five points.

Birmingham was led on the afternoon by power forward Alisa Burras. Burras scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor, she also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Jaynetta Saunders, who finished the game with 12 points, was the only other player in double-figures for the Power.

The game also was significant in the standings for the Chill, as Colorado clinched a first-round bye in the 2004 Pro Cup Playoffs. The win also improved Colorado’s home record to a perfect 11-0, with one game remaining.

Colorado will conclude the regular season on Tuesday night when they host the Chicago Blaze in a pivotal NWBL contest. With a win against the Blaze, Colorado will secure the regular season title and a first-round bye in the playoffs that are to begin on March 30th in Dallas.

Tip-off for Tuesday’s night’s action is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at the Budweiser Events Center.

For additional information on the Colorado Chill or to purchase tickets call 970-223-6644.

Aaron M. Moore, Media Relations Director
Contact: 720-318-1205