Good second half but no cigar

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions matched the Southwest Baptist Lady Bearcats hoop for hoop in the second half of Friday nightís game at Pittsburg, Kan.

Unfortunately, two halves were played and the Mountain Lions lost 63-43 in the first game of the Chatter Roundball Classic, hosted by Pittsburg State.

But it was the second half that CU-Colorado Springs (0-2) and coach Marty Fletcher will point to as a roadmap of where the Mountain Lions hope to be headed.

"Iím very pleased with how we played in the second half," said Fletcher. "We came out with much more aggressiveness."

Julie Richards scored all 10 of her points in the second half, making four of her six field goals attempts including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. B.J. McNeally scored eight of her team-high 13 points, going 3-for-5 in the period. The Mountain Lionsí pressure defense forced 16 of their 24 turnovers in the second half, allowing CU-Colorado Springs to attempt 28 shots, seven more than Southwest Baptist.

"Hopefully, we learned how we have to compete and how we have to play with great intensity," said Fletcher. "We always play hard, but we didnít play with the purpose we need in the first half."

That lack of purpose was painfully apparent in the first half.

B.J. McNeally knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key and also hit a runner from the left baseline. Meghan McGee grabbed a loose ball and quickly converted the 10 footer. Janine Ota swished a 15-footer. That was the good news for the Mountain Lions in the first half.

The bad news was those were the only four field goals CU-Colorado Springs made in the first period. The other 24 shots missed, some of them badly.

The other bad news was provided by the Southwest Baptist defense, which was on a high after destroying Ozark Christian College 100-40 on Tuesday. The Lady Bearcats forced 17 CU-Colorado Springs turnovers in the first period.

That meltdown made the second-half recovery critical to the teamís psyche.

Jennifer Clymore led Southwest Baptist (2-1) with 19 points, while Amber Wheeler added 14. Gwyn Smith grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

CU-Colorado Springs plays host Pittsburg State Saturday.

"I was very pleased with how we played in the second 20,î said Fletcher. ìWe feel good about the last 20 minutes and hopefully that will carry over to tomorrow night."