SILVER CITY, N.M. – Points were at a premium all game long and the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team used their strong defensive game to finally pull away in the second half for the 58-48 victory over New Mexico Highlands University in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night.

WNMU (10-18, 7-15 RMAC) limited NMHU (4-23, 2-20 RMAC) to just 20 percent (6-30) shooting in the first half and 26 percent (14-54) for the game. The defense also shut down the three-point line allowing just 2-16 (13). The Cowgirls got to the foul line, but only converted 18-38 (47).

It was a struggle for the Lady Mustangs also from the field as they connected on 30 percent (22-74), 5-19 (26) from three and 9-12 (75) at the foul line.

Holding just a 27-25 halftime lead, WNMU exploded in the third quarter to begin to pull away. The Lady Mustangs went on an 11-0 run over the first four-plus minutes to push the lead to 13, 38-25.

The lead got as high as 16 a few minutes later, but the game was far from over. NMHU got as close as four early in the fourth quarter before WNMU was able to regroup and hold on for the win.

Senior Cristiana Yepa (Dulce, NM/Dulce ) ignited an 8-0 run with a layup at the 5:55 mark. She added four more points during the run before junior Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) closed the spurt with a jumper at the 2:54 mark that left WNMU with the 54-42 advantage.

Yepa closed her career at WNMU strong going for a career-high while with the Lady Mustangs posting 21 points on 7-14 shooting, 2-6 from three and also added eight rebounds.

The Cowgirls would get no closer than seven the rest of the way.

The teams went back-and-forth throughout the first quarter with WNMU holding the slight 14-13 lead.

The Cowgirls stretched their lead to three a pair of times in the second quarter when junior Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) hit a three near the end of the half to push WNMU in front for what turned out to be the rest of the game.

Outside of Yepa's career-night, Gutierrez added 13 points and Williams with 10. Gutierrez tied Yepa for the team-high in rebounds with eight. It was also the final game for senior My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) as she went for four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Giulia Simoni led the Cowgirls with 14 points, while Kristy Marquez grabbed down 17 rebounds and just missed a double-double with nine points.

It marks the second straight season that WNMU has swept the season series over NMHU.