LAS VEGAS – The words were difficult to find through the tears for McKenna Hofschild after what might have been her final game for Colorado State.

But really, what was left unsaid by her on-court actions for the past four years?

“I just want to be a winner,” Hofschild said after the fifth-seeded Rams fell 62-52 on Tuesday night to No. 1 UNLV in the Mountain West women’s tournament semifinals.

“I can’t you much right now.”

Hofschild checked out of the game in the final 10 seconds after scoring nine points and adding eight more assists to her Mountain West record. She made her way down the line on the CSU bench with hugs for everyone, then buried her face in her jersey as she left the court at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I know this young lady didn’t want to speak to her legacy, but I sure as hell will,” Rams coach Ryun Williams said. “What this young lady has done for Mountain West basketball and for Colorado State basketball is probably going to go unmatched. Her career is nothing short of remarkable.

“She might be 5-2, but that heart sure as hell isn’t 5-2. She has a lot to be proud of and what an amazing career.”

Hofschild ranks behind only Becky Hammon on CSU’s all-time scoring list. She is also second all-time in the Mountain West (Hammon’s career, 1995-99, came when the Rams competed in the Western Athletic Conference). She leads the Rams and Mountain West in all-time assists, she was a four-time All-Mountain West selection and the 2022-23 conference Player of the Year.

Hofschild, who transferred from Seton Hall and has since started all 116 games she’s played for the Rams, is the only player in Mountain West history – men’s or women’s – to record three consecutive seasons with 200-plus assists.

Hofschild and Iowa’s Caitlyn Clark are the only players averaging more than 20 points and eight assists per game this season.

Her career could be extended if the Rams play in secondary postseason tournament, but it’s also possible her career ended in this defensive slugfest that saw the Rams fall behind by 14 in the first half before closing two within a possession twice in the fourth quarter after a Runnin’ Rebels team that won the conference by five games this year and will play for its third consecutive conference tournament title Wednesday.

“I think she’s a great competitor,” UNLV coach Lindy La Rocque said of Hofschild, who is one of seven seniors for the Rams. “Obviously a very skilled player. She’s probably had the odds stacked against her a lot being a smaller player, but she’s found a way to keep grinding. I just really respect her and how she carries herself and how she operates her team.

“I hope she keeps playing. She is a great basketball player.”