LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Trailing by just two at the break, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team was within striking distance before Colorado Christian University used a strong second half to take the 82-65 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday.

WNMU (8-16, 5-13 RMAC) utilized a tough zone defense in the first half to force 12 CCU (16-6, 13-5 RMAC) turnovers and keep the game close throughout the first 20 minutes.

CCU jumped out to the early 9-4 lead and after WNMU took a small lead, the Cougars ended the first quarter with the 17-15 advantage.

The Lady Mustangs opened the second quarter strong with sophomore Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) and junior Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) connecting on the first four points to push WNMU in front.

After CCU answered to tie the game at 19, Gutierrez got loose for back-to-back three-pointers to move the Lady Mustangs to a 25-21 lead near the midway point of the quarter.

The Cougars responded out of a timeout to go on a 13-2 run to take a 34-27 lead with just a few minutes to go before halftime. Gutierrez was ready again as she dialed long distance on the next trip down the floor and junior Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) capped the second quarter strong with a jumper at the buzzer leaving CCU with just a 34-32 lead at the break.

CCU came out ready out of the locker rooms as they began the third quarter on a 9-0 run over the first three-plus minutes.

The Cougars kept the lead throughout most of the third and held a 56-44 lead heading to the final quarter.

Down by as many as 17 at one point in the fourth, the Lady Mustangs made one last run. Down 15 with seven minutes to play, senior My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) hit a jumper to ignite a 7-0 spurt. French later added a foul shot and then baskets by Gutierrez and junior Tessa Jones (Truth or Consequences, NM/Hot Springs ) had the Cougar lead to just eight, 65-57, with still 4:33 to play.

Still trailing by eight after trading baskets, Kaitlyn Hinch drilled a big three-pointer with three minutes to play to help keep the Cougar lead back in double-digits for most of the remaining minutes to claim the win.

Gutierrez made 6-16 from the field, including a 3-5 effort from three to lead the team with 17 points. French added 15 points, while junior Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) also tallied double-figures with 10. French and Williams led the team in rebounds with each pulling down six. WNMU recorded 15 steals led by five from Botelho.

Kate Louthan went for a game-high 30 points to pace the Cougars. She also added a double-double collecting 10 rebounds. Ali Meyer had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

WNMU made 25-70 (36) from the field, 3-10 (30) from three and 12-21 (57) at the foul line. CCU countered with a 31-65 (48) effort from the field, 8-24 (33) from three and 12-13 (92) at the charity stripe.

The Cougars used their height advantage just like they did in the first meeting to dominate the boards 51-34, nearly identical (51-35) to the earlier matchup in Silver City.
Despite the size disadvantage, WNMU was plus-four (36-32) on points in the paint.

WNMU will play at Colorado School of Mines tomorrow (Saturday) night beginning at 5 p.m.