COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Despite tallying 22 free throws, holding an edge on points off turnovers and playing even on points in the paint, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team couldn't overcome UC-Colorado Springs' plus-25 rebound margin and plus-eight three-pointers as the Lady Mountain Lions took the 77-54 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.
WNMU (10-8, 7-7 RMAC) jumped out to early leads of two and then four at 6-2 following back-to-back makes by
Stephanie Moore (Anton, TX/Anton High School). A
Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) jumper five minutes into the first half had the Lady Mustangs back in front, 8-6, before UCCS (17-3, 12-2 RMAC) would come back to reclaim the lead and not look back.
A 12-2 run followed to push the Lady Mountain Lions to an 18-10 lead near the midway point of the opening half. Moore would help trim the deficit to seven near the end of the half before UCCS took a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
The Lady Mountain Lions utilized the three-point shot out of the half connecting on trio of triples to push the lead to 18 just three minutes into the second stanza. WNMU would get the deficit back to 16 a couple of times over the next few minutes, but UCCS kept the offense coming tallying 45 points in the half to take the victory.
Moore was one of three Lady Mustangs to reach double-figures with 10. Hernandez led the way with 11 points, while
Tessa Jones (Truth or Consequences, NM/Hot Springs High School) came off the bench to post 10 points in 10 minutes.
Kenzie Rinehart (Deming, NM/Deming High School) added a team-high five rebounds, while
Desiree Young (North Ogden, UT/Weber High School) and
RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) came away with two steals apiece.
Abby Kirchoff led four Lady Mountain Lions in double-figures going for 14. WNMU made 16-of-51 (31.4) from the field while UCCS connected on 28-of-64 (43.8). UCCS held an 8-0 edge on three-pointers, while WNMU had a 22-13 advantage at the foul line. Rebounding was big for UCCS posting a 51-26 edge and also holding a solid 20-5 advantage on assists.
WNMU will remain on the road at Colorado State University-Pueblo Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. The Lady ThunderWolves defeated New Mexico Highlands, 65-60, earlier tonight.
