UCCS bests Johnson & Wales, completes nonconference slate at 5-1

DENVER - Abby Kirchoff had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to a 73-60 nonconference victory over the Johnson & Wales Wildcats Tuesday evening at the Wildcat Center.

Danielle Brown (12), Jeri Pikul (12) and Ashley Miller (10) were also in double-figure scoring for the Mountain Lions, while Jessica Brown matched Kirchoff with seven rebounds.

The win improved UCCS' record to 8-5 and finished the team's season nonconference mark at 5-1, with the 83.3 win percentage the best ever by a UCCS women's basketball team. The previous best was 78.6 percent (11-3) in 1992-93 when UCCS was a member of the Colorado Athletic Conference.

Samantha Neal led Johnson & Wales (9-9) with 13 points.

A 17-point run midway through the first half catapulted UCCS to a 30-11 lead. Six different Mountain Lions scored during the run. UCCS finished the first half with a 38-16 lead.

UCCS led by as many as 29, giving coach Corey Laster the opportunity to use his bench liberally. Fifteen Mountain Lions played in the game, 11 of whom scored.

The Wildcats rallied late, scoring the game's final 10 points.

UCCS will play a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road games this weekend, facing Western State on Friday in Gunnison and Colorado Mesa on Saturday in Grand Junction.