GUNNISON, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team was ready to go Friday night as they opened the game on an 11-0 run and then played lock down defense in the second half holding the Mountaineers to just nine points en route to defeating Western State Colorado University 63-39 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

With it just a two-point game at halftime, the Lady Mustang defense limited the Mountaineers to just nine points in the second half while scoring 31 points to cruise to the victory. The Mountaineers were held to 16.7 percent (4-24) shooting in the second half, including a 0-10 clip on three-pointers.

In his third game as head coach, Matt Enriquez picks up his first win. The win moves WNMU to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC. It is also the first sweep of Western State since the Lady Mustangs returned to the RMAC in 2006.

WNMU appeared ready to run away with the game at the start. Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) opened the scoring just 18 seconds in and helped ignite an 11-0 run to begin the game. Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) connected on the next trip down the floor before Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) and Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) hit a pair of jumpers to push the lead to eight. Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) completed the strong start with a three-pointer at the 6:52 mark to give WNMU the 11-0 lead.

WSCU (3-7, 1-7 RMAC) wasn't ready to go away just yet as they responded closing the first quarter on a 14-4 run that left WNMU ahead by just one, 15-14.

A Haley Vinson jumper 30 seconds into the second quarter had the Mountaineers in front for the first time at 16-15. The lead stretched to 24-20 when baskets by Smith and Botelho helped knot the game back up.

WSCU kept coming as a Kaylynn Bush three-pointer with two minutes to go before halftime had WSCU with what would be their last lead of the night at 30-28.

Grady dialed long distance near the end of the half giving WNMU their 32-30 halftime lead.

The third quarter began just like the start of the game with WNMU going on a long scoring stretch while playing lock down defense. Williams converted a layup just eight seconds in to help trigger a 9-0 run. Following a Smith foul shot, Botelho drilled a jumper, a layup by My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) and then a Tessa Jones (Truth or Consequences, NM/Hot Springs ) layup at the 5:12 mark pushed the lead to double-digits at 41-30.

French had the lead to 12 with 2:27 to go in the quarter on a layup for the 46-34 lead before eventually the Lady Mustangs had a 48-37 lead heading into the final quarter.

After holding WSCU without a point for the first five minutes of the third quarter, they would do even better in the fourth. The Mountaineers got just two points in the quarter and that came over eight minutes in. During that time WNMU went on a 13-0 run to roll to the victory. Williams started the run with a layup 18 seconds in. Megan Looney (Phoenix, AZ/Apache Junction ), Smith, Botelho and Jayla Brown (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista ) also contributed points during the stretch.

WNMU made 25-65 (38.5) from the field and went 3-12 (25) from three-point range. They also added a 10-18 (55.6) effort from the foul line. WSCU ended up shooting 30.2 percent (16-53) for the game and went 4-23 (17.4) from three-point range. They made it to the foul line just four times making three of them.

Botelho led all-scorers going for 15 points and also added six rebounds and five steals. Smith went for a double-double against her former team with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out five assists to lead the way.

Taylor Long was the only Mountaineer to reach double-figures in scoring with 10. She also had a double-double with 10 rebounds.

WNMU dominated in most of the specialty categories including forcing 19 turnovers, while committing just eight. That led to a 17-7 points off turnovers advantage. They also controlled points in the paint (36-16) and fastbreak (11-2).

WNMU will remain on the road tomorrow night when they play at Colorado State University-Pueblo beginning at 5:30 p.m. The ThunderWolves posted a 71-56 win over New Mexico Highlands tonight.