Podpah, poor shooting leads to Mountain Lions loss
New Mexico Highlands snapped the University of Colorado at Colorado Springsâ€TM two-game winning streak by beating the Mountain Lions 79-71 Tuesday afternoon in the Lionsâ€TM Den.
Tara Podpah once again led the way for the Cowgirls, scoring 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Shannon Salway added 14 points and five assist for New Mexico Highlands.
“(New Mexico Highlands) did a great job of getting the ball inside,†said Mountain Lions coach Marty Fletcher.
Lindsay Arnoldus led CU-Colorado Springs with 15 points and seven assists. Emily Jenkins had 14 points and 13 rebounds (eight offensive).
The torrid shooting that the Mountain Lions had exhibited in their last three games was nowhere to be found Tuesday against the Cowgirls. CU-Colorado Springs (8-12, 4-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) missed its first seven shots of the game as the Mountain Lions found themselves down 9-0 early.
“We fell too far behind in the early going,†said Fletcher.
New Mexico Highlands (14-9, 9-5) led by as many as 17 in the first half and held a 32-30 advantage at the break. The Cowgirls pushed their lead to 18 points early in the second half before the Mountain Lions slowly crept their way back into the game.
CU-Colorado Springs cut the lead to 64-58 with 9:25 remaining on a pair of Maribeth Martinez free-throws. The Cowgirls went on an 8-1 run that seemingly put the game out of reach.
The Mountain Lions mounted one last comeback, cutting the lead to 75-71 with 1:15 to go. Poor free-throw shooting, however, wouldnâ€TMt allow the Mountain Lions to get any closer.
It was the fifth straight time that Highlands has beat CU-Colorado Springs dating back to the 2002-03 season.
The Mountain Lions now face the daunting task of having to win four, if not all five, of their remaining RMAC games in order to have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lindsay Arnoldus | 10 | G | Jr. |
 | Emily Jenkins | 22 | F | So. |
 | Emily Jenkins | 22 | F | So. |
 | Emily Jenkins | 33 | F | Jr. |
 | Emily Jenkins | 33 | F | Sr. |
 | Maribeth Martinez | 14 | G | Jr. |
 | Maribeth Martinez | 14 | G | |
| Additional News Stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| October 19, 2005 |  | Sauter named preseason All-RMAC | UCCS forward Jennine Sauter was named preseason All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference West Division, the RMAC announced Wednesday. |
| October 13, 2005 | | UCCS hosts Moonlight Madness | The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs men’s and women’s basketball teams will be hosting Moonlight Madness on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Lions’ Den. |
| May 13, 2005 |  | Stratton named new women's basketball coach | The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Athletic Department announced Friday that Jessika Stratton had been hired as the school’s new women’s basketball coach. |
| March 14, 2005 |  | Coach search begins | Head Women’s Basketball CoachFull-time, 12 month positionAs an NCAA Division II institution and member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs invites applicants for Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing all aspects of a competitive women’s basketball program, recruitment and retention of quality student-athletes, practice organization and game management, budget preparation and maintenance, and compliance with all University, NCAA and RMAC rules. Must show a strong commitment to the academic goals of the student-athlete and be able to promote and support the University’s mission. |
| March 3, 2005 |  | Richards named second-team All-RMAC West Division | University of Colorado at Colorado Springs center Julie Richards was named second-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference West Division, the conference announced Friday. |
 |  |  |  |