LARAMIE, Wyo. — Just a few days after accomplishing something no team in the history of the Colorado State women’s basketball program had ever achieved, the Rams faced their biggest challenge in nearly a month.

CSU crushed Utah State to win its 20th straight game Wednesday, the longest winning streak in program history, simply a continuation of what has been an utterly dominant month of basketball since squeaking out an 80-78 win over San Jose State on the road Jan. 27.

Since that time, the Rams have ended games by the end of the third quarter, and sometimes far before then.

However, none of that matters in a rivalry game and Wyoming was keen to spoil its rival’s dream run at Arena Auditorium on Saturday, pushing the Rams to the brink in a 62-57 victory for Colorado State.

“I was saying to myself in that fourth quarter that although I didn’t like it, this was good for us; it was good for us to be tested and for Wyoming to take the lead and to play through the adversity,” CSU coach Ryun Williams said in a release. “We haven’t really had to do that since the San Jose State game, but our kids showed some great resolve. They made some winning plays, some winning stops. It wasn’t the prettiest of games by the Rams, but Wyoming made us play that way.”

Wyoming (12-13, 5-10 Mountain West) proved from the start that it wasn’t going to give in because the Rams entered the day rolling with one loss all season, and none in conference play.

The Cowgirls led after the first quarter (13-11) and trailed by just three points at halftime. But even then they wouldn’t disappear. Wyoming hung 20 on the Rams in the third quarter, regaining the lead at 40-37, leaving the final quarter to decide the game. The Cowgirls led for 8:03 total in the contest.

Colorado State (24-1, 14-0) struggled shooting the ball in the opening half of the contest, making only 10 of 27 shots (37 percent) and were little better in the third at 40 percent.

But with the game on the line, the Rams showed championship mettle to finding the scoring touch to the tune of 66 percent shooting (8 of 12) in the fourth quarter, led by senior guard Keyora Wharry, who scored 10 of her 17 points in the second half.

CSU’s usual stellar defense was still the case Saturday, limiting Wyoming to 35 percent from the field in the game, and 5 of 17 from behind the 3-point line.

Junior Elin Gustavsson led Colorado State with a game-best 19 points, while Ellen Nystrom chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Liv Roberts dropped 14 for Wyoming and snagged seven boards, while Hailey Ligocki and Marquelle Dent each scored 13 and Natalie Baker another 12.

“They had a great plan against us and they competed hard. We had to dig deep in that fourth quarter and make plays, and I’m proud of the group for doing that,” Williams said. “We trusted each other and the kids never really panicked. Although it wasn’t really pretty, it was never a panic situation. We’re happy in that locker room. It’s hard to win college basketball games, especially in this arena.”

Colorado State stays on the road against New Mexico on Wednesday (7 p.m.) before returning home to Moby Arena for two straight against Nevada (Feb. 27) and Fresno State (March 1). The Rams close the regular season March 4 at Air Force.

Rams 62, Cowgirls 57

Colorado State (24-1, 14-0)

Austgulen 1 0-0 3, Wharry 8 1-2 17, Hesseldal 0 2-2 2, Tvrdy 1 0-0 2, Nystrom 4 1-2 10, Patrick 3 2-3 9, Gustavsson 7 3-4 19. Totals 24-54 9-13 62.

Wyoming (12-13, 5-10)

Dent 6 1-2 13, Gomez 2 0-0 5, Roberts 3 8-9 14, Baker 5 0-0 12, Ligocki 3 5-6 13. Totals 19-54 14-17 57.

Score by quarters:

Colorado State 11 12 14 25 — 62