UCCS never trails in win over CSU-Pueblo

COLORADO SPRINGS â€" Stephanie Sauter scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs defeated the Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves 74-64 Saturday night at the Lionsâ€^TM Den.

Jennine Sauter added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Mountain Lions (11-12, 8-7 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) as UCCS pulled even with Colorado State-Pueblo for second place in the RMACâ€^TMs West Division.

“Itâ€^TMs an awesome feeling because we knew we were in third place coming into this (game),” said Stephanie Sauter. “It was a must-win for us.”

Not only was it a must-win, it was a want-to win as well. The Mountain Lions not only earned valuable points for the Steel and Silver Series, they also got a little payback for a loss to the Thunderwolves earlier this season.

“We came to play tonight,” said Sauter. “We read an article in (the Pueblo Chieftain) after the game and it kind of fired us up because it talked about how they had taken us out of our game.”

UCCS freshman Whitney Knobbe had her best game as a collegian with 11 points and six rebounds, both career highs.

Lauren Westerman did everything she could to keep the Thunderwolves (13-10, 8-7 RMAC) in the game, scoring 16 of her 17 points in the second half.

While Westerman was effective, the Thunderwolves wee unable to get her the ball with enough regularity. UCCS pressured relentlessly out top, which not only limited passing options, but also forced CSU-Pueblo into 9-for-31 3-point shooting.

“We came out with aggressiveness, got in the passing lane and really pressured their guards,” said Sauter. “They werenâ€^TMt able to get it into the post as often.”

Julie Richards score the games first point with 51 second into the game and UCCS never looked back. The Mountain Lions led by as many as 11 in the first half before a CSU-Pueblo run in the final minute closed the deficit to 37-32.

A Mary Rehfeld 3-pointer cut the deficit to two, but Stephanie Sauter answered with two 3-pointers, then stepped in front of a CSU-Pueblo pass at midcourt and took it all the way for a layup. A minute later, she nailed her third consecutive 3-pointer.

Just like that, thanks to 11 straight points from Sauter, the Mountain Lions led 48-35.

“I struggled in the first half, but coach told me to keep shooting,” said Sauter. “I got two threes right away and a steal. It got my confidence up.”

UCCS extended the lead to14 midway through the second half, but with leading scorers Jennine Sauter and Julie Richards both on the bench with foul trouble, the Mountain Lions struggled to maintain the advantage. CSU-Pueblo closed to 62-60 with 4:23 remaining, but a short jumper by UCCS reserve center Caroline Ottino followed by a 3-pointer by Maribeth Martinez took the steam out of the comeback.