Krueger dominates the paint; UCCS dominates Western State

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Kellie Krueger and Abby Kirchoff scored 20 points a piece in what became a blowout late for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (9-3 / 6-2 RMAC) in a 73-55 victory over Western State College University (1-12 / 1-8 RMAC) Friday evening at the Gallogly Events Center.

UCCS held an early lead that spanned as big as 12 points at the 16:42 mark in the first-half.

What allowed the Mountaineers to climb back and make the score close at halftime was their ability to convert second chance points with 10 in the first-half alone. 

Kirchoff was the high-point player in the first-half with 11 points at the break to lead all scorers. Kirchoff also collected three steals in the first-half. 

Krueger, a Division I transfer from Stoney Brook University, did most of her damage in the second-half with 18 points of her 20 points and 10 of her 14 rebounds coming in the second period. 

Like waves on a beach crushing a sand castle, Kruger's inside dominance was exerted methodically almost every other possession as she accounted for 43 percent of the Mountain Lion's offense in the second-half. 

Gabby Ramirez made her usual appearance in the box score with 11 points to go along with four assists. While Jeir Pikul had eight points and a game-high five assists. 

Jade McIntosh came up one rebound shy of a double-double ending the night with a Mountaineer-high 18 points and nine rebounds.