LAS VEGAS — Safe to say, Sophie Tryggedsson was feeling it.

Colorado State women’s basketball’s young guard generally doesn’t see a ton of the court on average for the Rams, averaging less than five points per game (4.8) while shooting just 29 percent from the field.

But Thursday defied averages and expectations for the sophomore, who led the Rams with a game-high 19 points in a 57-37 victory in the Mountain West opener at UNLV, the best scoring mark of her young career.

Tryggedsson went 8-for-12 from the field (66 percent) and logged 33 minutes for CSU, knocking down three from beyond the arc while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out a pair of assists.

She earned the start against the Rebels, a boost of confidence that saw her pour in 16 of her points in the opening half, especially in the second quarter when Tryggedsson tallied 14, all but four of Colorado State’s points in the frame.

Seniors Ellen Nystrom and Elin Gustavsson also scored in double figures for the Rams, who found themselves in a tight first quarter before expanding the lead in the second thanks to Tryggedsson to lead UNLV 29-18 at halftime.

Gustavsson registered 13 points (5 of 10) and Nystrom 10 to go with a team-best 12 rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Callie Kaiser added another seven and Myanne Hamm five for CSU.

The Rams shot 49 percent as a team, including 6 of 15 from 3-point territory, but it was the work they did on the other end of the court that made the difference.

UNLV shot just 25 percent (14 of 57) from the field and committed 12 turnovers, which led to 15 points for the Rams. Colorado State also held a 40-30 advantage on the glass, 34 coming on the defensive end. CSU would dominate in the paint 20-8 to help overcome 16 giveaways of its own.

Colorado State improves to 9-4 this season and begins the season 1-0 in conference play as the Rams search for their fourth consecutive regular season crown in the Mountain West. The Rams open conference play at home Saturday against Boise State at 2 p.m.

Cris Tiller: 970-669-5401, tillerc@reporter-herald.com or twitter.com/cristiller