GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs junior forward Brittany Hernandez was held scoreless in the first quarter but scored a game-high 22 in the final three quarters as the Mountain Lions (5-3, 1-1 RMAC) fell 72-65 to No. 22 Colorado Mesa (5-1, 2-0 RMAC) tonight in Brownson Arena. 

Both teams struggled shooting from the field early in the game with the Mavericks leading the Mountain Lions 3-2 at the first quarter media timeout. UCCS made its first field goal of the game with a bank shot from Shanah Leaf with 4 minutes, 22 seconds left in the quarter, and the Mountain Lions stayed within a possession of the Mavericks with a 15-12 deficit at the end of the period.

Lauren Bennett sparked a 12-point UCCS rally early in the second quarter to turn an 18-14 deficit into a 26-18 lead during a nearly four minute stretch in the quarter. Hernandez scored nine points in the second quarter and led both teams with two steals as the teams were tied 35-35 at halftime.

The Mavericks put together a 9-2 run in the third quarter to open a 44-39 lead with 4:58 to play, and assembled another six-point rally late in the quarter to open a 55-45 lead. Hernandez scored in transition with five seconds left in the quarter to pull the Mountain Lions within single digits at 55-47 at the end of the period.

The Mountain Lions took the Maverick lead down to five points at 61-56 with 4:54 to play after a free throw from Leaf. UCCS scored on four of its final five possessions but couldn't close the gap in the 72-65 decision tonight.

Hernandez scored her season average tonight and went nine-of-10 at the free throw line. She led both teams with five steals and three blocked shots on defense and grabbed seven rebounds. Gabby Ramirez led UCCS and shared the game-lead with eight rebounds and Leaf added 12 points with six-of-eight shooting at the free throw line and a three-of-six performance from the field.

The Mountain Lions made their first 21 free throws of the game and finished 26-of-29 at the charity stripe for 89.7 percent. It was the third 90 percent team performance this season.

UCCS will continue to head west for 5:30 p.m., game on Saturday at Westminster in Salt Lake City. The Griffins (4-2, 1-1 RMAC) defeated MSU Denver 55-45 earlier tonight at Behnken Field House.