Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team nearly came back from a 21-point halftime deficit in the second half before New Mexico Highlands University turned the tide for the 72-56 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon.


Western New Mexico University (WNMU) came back from an early 4-0 deficit to score then next five points thanks to a Heather Hamilton (Ely, NV/White Pine High School) layup and three from Morgan Wohltman (Queen Creek, AZ/Highland High School). After Wohltman scored the next four points for WNMU (3-14, 2-11 RMAC) for a 9-7 lead, New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) then took control with a 11-0 run for a 18-9 lead near the midway point of the first half.


The Lady Mustangs would get within five a few minutes later, 18-13, following a Hamilton layup off a pass from Kassie Scott (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) when NMHU (4-13, 4-9 RMAC) controlled the rest of the half thanks to a 24-8 run for a 42-21 lead at the break.


Trailing by 18, 50-32, with 12:50 to play in the game, WNMU began to make a run. Larissa Loera (Mira Loma, CA/Jurupa Valley High School) got the Lady Mustangs going with a layup, which Wohltman added to that a pair from the line and later a jumper to leave the deficit at 16. Wohltman and Loera combined again later, with Wohltman hitting one from the charity stripe and Loera slashed to the hoop for two trimming it to 13, 54-41.


Kim Clark (Santee, CA/West Hills High School) would pull WNMU within 10 on the next trip down the court connecting on a three for a 54-44 game and still 9:38 to play.


But, NMHU came back with a 5-0 run and would hold the lead the rest of the way.


Wohltman led all scorers going for 22 points on 7-of-18 shooting. Scott added 15, while Hamilton was also in double-figures with 12.


Michelle Traynham led NMHU with 19 points, including six three-pointers.


Both teams shot over 40 percent, with WNMU making 20-of-49 (40.8), while NMHU made one more shot, connecting on 21-of-49 (42.9). The Cowgirls held the edge in three-pointers (11-2) and free throws (19-14).


WNMU will remain on the road this coming Friday when they will play the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs beginning at 5:30 p.m.