More records fall as Mountain Lions improve to 3-0 in RMAC play

COLORADO SPRINGS- Behind a school-record 36 free throws made, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs womenâ€^TMs basketball team earned its first-ever 3-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference start with a 78-66 victory over the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls Saturday evening at the Lions' Den.

A third record was broken when Jazzmin Awa-Williams hit a short jumper at the 14:59 mark of the first half. It was the 10th consecutive made field goal (over a three-game span) for the sophomore from Kailuakona, Hawaii, breaking her own record of nine straight that she set earlier this season.

Awa-Williams led the Mountain Lions (5-5, 3-0 RMAC) with 18 points and four assists. Janean Jubic added 13 points, while Ashley Miller had 10. Nancy Hoist grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

“We continue to have very good balance,” said UCCS coach Jessika Caldwell. “Itâ€^TMs neat to see the ebb and flow of them feeding off one another as different scorers emerge.”

Oliana Seanoa led New Mexico Highlands (0-7, 0-3 RMAC) with 16 points.

The Mountain Lions were as good as they can be in the first half, racing out to a 20-4 lead and going into the intermission with a 39-18 advantage. UCCS shot 65 percent in the half, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range and had eight steals.

“We had a really good, inspired first half,” said Caldwell. “Thatâ€^TMs something weâ€^TMve really talked about â€" establishing ourselves early.”

A 3-point play by Mallory Lowe made it 46-20 early in the second half. Like many young teams, though, UCCS couldnâ€^TMt maintain the focus and intensity that built the lead in the first place. The Cowgirls used a full-court trap to take the Mountain Lions out of their offense and were able to whittle the deficit all the way down to eight at 58-50 with 7:21 remaining.

“We got a little content with our lead,” said Caldwell. “We havenâ€^TMt been in that position very much this season.

“We werenâ€^TMt taking the shots we needed to take, we werenâ€^TMt taking care of the ball and New Mexico Highlands would come down and hit big shots.”

But the Cowgirls paid for it. The reaching and grabbing required of the trap resulted in many fouls as UCCS went to the line 49 times. Each of the Mountain Lionsâ€^TM final 20 points came on free throws.

“I felt we handled (the pressure trap) towards the end like we needed to in order to get to the foul line,” said Caldwell. “They played very physical, so it was very important that we made our free throws. Weâ€^TMll take 73 percent.”

Theyâ€^TMll also gladly take 3-0.