Kirchoff, Mountain Lions hold off Western State

GUNNISON - Abby Kirchoff scored 20 points as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs withstood a spirited Western State comeback to defeat the Mountaineers 75-70 Friday evening at Paul Wright Gym.

The Mountain Lions led by 13 with 12:09 remaining in the game, but Western State came back to tie the game with just under five minutes to go.

Just as she did in the first half, Kirchoff responded. The freshman hit a 3-pointer and followed it with a layup to give the Mountain Lions a 69-64 lead with 3:31 left. The Mountaineers trimmed it the gap to three thrice but UCCS answered each challenge. Nikki Trujillo had a look at a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with three seconds left but missed. Kirchoff got the rebounds and two free throws to provide the final margin.

Kirchoff has scored in double digits in each of the Mountain Lions' nine wins this season, averaging 16.8 per game. In the team's five losses, her average is five points per game.

Danielle Brown added 14 points and four assists as UCCS improved to 4-4 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play (9-5 overall). Ashley Miller had 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Trujillo led Western State (7-8, 6-3 RMAC) with 16 points and Krista Kona had 12. Katie Hall, the RMAC's leading rebounder with 11.1 per game, was right on her average with 11 boards to go along with her 11 points.

UCCS outshot Western State 46.4 percent to 33.3 percent and held the Mountaineers to just 2-of-17 on 3-pointers.

A pair of free throws by Jaylan Spencer gave the Mountaineers their largest lead at 14-9 with just under 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Abby Kirchoff had the answer, scoring seven straight points to put UCCS up 16-14. A 16-6 run gave the Mountain Lions a 37-25 advantage. UCCS went into the break leading 37-27.

The Mountain Lions will head to Grand Junction for a Saturday evening date with the Colorado Mesa Mavericks.