Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – Trailing by eight with just over three minutes to play, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team mounted a comeback going on a 13-2 run to take the 71-68 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over Fort Lewis College on Saturday night.

The win over the Skyhawks was the first in the last 16 tries, as FLC had come in winning 15 straight in the series.


"RaTanya had a big and one on a broken play and it was a series of fortunate events for us and unfortunate ones for Fort Lewis," second-year head coach Rusty Kennedy said. "Desiree hit a big three off of a set play that worked out really well for us."


FLC (7-7, 4-5 RMAC) looked to be in control leading 66-58 with 3:32 to play, but WNMU (7-8, 4-6 RMAC) had other ideas. Senior forward Veronica Celaya (Chandler, AZ/Williams Field High School) started the run with three free throws and after the Skyhawks went back in front by seven, junior point guard RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) scored five straight points to pull within two at 68-66 with 1:29 to play. Then after a missed front end of a one-and-one, junior guard Desiree Young (North Ogden, UT/Weber High School) drilled a top-of-the-key three to push the Lady Mustangs in front, 69-68.


FLC elected to push instead of taking a timeout and a bad pass gave the ball back to WNMU with 48 seconds to play. The Lady Mustangs were fouled on their next possession, but missed a pair at the line leaving the Skyhawks with the ball still down one with 44 seconds to play.


FLC worked it around before Ashley Kuchar drove and as she went for the layup, a charge was called turning the ball back to the Lady Mustangs with 32 seconds left. Junior guard Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School) was fouled and she connected on both to give WNMU a three-point advantage with 25 seconds to play.


After a full timeout by FLC, the Skyhawks worked the ball around before a driving layup was missed and after getting the offensive rebound, a three-pointer with just seconds left also fell short giving WNMU the victory.


The Lady Mustangs built a 10-point lead in the first half opening up what was a one-point lead to 10 following a 9-0 spurt near the midway point of the half for a 24-14 advantage. FLC would respond outscoring WNMU 16-6 to tie the game at 30 at halftime.


WNMU would go back in front by four on a jumper by freshman forward Tessa Jones (Truth or Consequences, NM/Hot Springs High School) at the 11:15 mark before FLC would end up coming back to take the lead by eight on a pair of occasions before the Lady Mustangs came storming back.


Newsome led four Lady Mustangs in double-figures going for 16 on 6-of-9 shooting. Junior forward Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) and Celaya added 11 points apiece, while Jones posted 10 points. Hernandez also collected a double-double with 11 rebounds.
Kuchar led all-scorers going for 18 points, as FLC also had four players in double-figures.


WNMU shot well from the field connecting on 25-of-54 (46.3), while FLC hit on 27-of-64 attempts (42.2). Each team made four 3-pointers and WNMU held a 17-10 edge at the foul line.


WNMU will hit the road this coming week as they will play at Black Hills State Friday night beginning at 5:30 p.m.