Box Score LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team was down by just one at halftime before Colorado Christian University caught fire in the second half to defeat the Lady Mustangs, 104-78, Friday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


The first half was back-and-forth, with Morgan Wohltman (Queen Creek, AZ/Highland High School) starting the scoring nearly two minutes in on a three. After Colorado Christian University (CCU) came back with the next four points for their first lead at 4-3, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) went on a 7-2 run triggered by a layup from Desiree Young (North Ogden, UT/Weber High School), which Heather Hamilton (Ely, NV/White Pine High School) added to that a layup and later Wohltman concluded the run with another three for the 10-6 lead at the 13:32 mark.


WNMU (4-20, 3-17 RMAC) jumped to their biggest lead of the night near the midway point of the first half when Veronica Celaya (Chandler, AZ/Williams Field High School) drilled a jumper from Young for an 18-13 advantage.


CCU (14-10, 11-9 RMAC) swung the game in their favor over the next five-plus minutes, jumping the lead to nine, 35-26.


WNMU closed the half strong, with Wohltman making two more three-pointers, including one right before halftime. In between, Larissa Loera (Mira Loma, CA/Jurupa Valley High School) made a jumper and Celaya hit two from the foul line leaving WNMU down by just one, 40-39, at the break.


The Lady Mustangs came back to tie the game at 46 three minutes into the second half when Hamilton split a pair from the line. From that point on, the Cougars took off, going on a 13-0 run to open a 59-46 lead.


WNMU would get as close as 12 over the next few minutes when Kassie Scott (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) made two from the charity stripe, 62-50, but CCU had too much down the stretch on their way to taking the victory.


The 78 points is a season-high for WNMU, as the previous high of 77 came in the season opener against University of the Southwest. Wohltman led WNMU with 20 points, while Kim Clark (Santee, CA/West Hills High School) scored her season-high 16 points, making 4 three-pointers. Celaya also reached double-digits with 10.


Taylor Torres led CCU and all scorers going for 22, as the Cougars had five players in double-figures. CCU made right at 46 percent (29-63), while WNMU made right at 40 percent (22-55). WNMU made three more three-pointers (11-8), while CCU dominated at the foul line (38-23). CCU also out rebounded WNMU, 46-28, including a 17-5 advantage on the offensive glass.


WNMU will remain on the road Saturday night when they will play at Colorado School of Mines with tip set for 5 p.m. Colorado Mines defeated New Mexico Highlands, 78-70, Friday night.