DENVER – University of Colorado Colorado Springs junior Brittany Hernandez scored 23 second-half points to lead the Mountain Lions from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to an 86-82 win at MSU Denver to open the RMAC season in the Auraria Event Center. Hernandez finished with 31 points for the Mountain Lions (5-2, 1-0 RMAC)

UCCS forced back-to-back turnovers by the Roadrunners (2-5, 0-1 RMAC) to open the game, but MSU Denver made its first four field goals of the night to build a 10-6 lead after the first four minutes. The Mountain Lions made more field goals than the Roadrunners in the first quarter with nine-of-16 shooting, but didn't shoot any free throws while MSU Denver went five-of-five at the line and UCCS trailed 23-19 after the opening period.

The Roadrunners expanded their lead to 42-30 after the second quarter and out-rebounded the Mountain Lions 10-7 in the quarter. Brittany Hernandez led UCCS at the half with eight points on four-of-six shooting from the field and Tori Fisher led the rebounding effort with four boards.

The Mountain Lions opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to cut the Roadrunner lead down to 44-42 with 4:55 left in the quarter. UCCS made six free throws and didn't allow MSU Denver to reach the line in the period, but the Roadrunners closed out the quarter with a six-point run for a 56-47 advantage.

Hernandez scored on back-to-back fastbreak layups during a seven-point UCCS run in the fourth quarter that cut a 13-point MSU Denver lead down to 68-62 with 5:36 to play. The Roadrunners kept at least a two possession lead until a seven-point run for the Mountain Lions put UCCS on top at 80-78 with 1:09 to play. The 7-0 run was part of a larger 13-4 run for the Mountain Lions to close out the game in the Denver.

Hernandez, the defending RMAC Offensive Player of the Week, has scored at least 30 points in the last two games and at least 20 points in the last three games. She has been perfect at the free throw line for the last two games, going a combined 13-of-13 after an eight-of-eight performance tonight. She led both teams with nine rebounds and did so with four personal fouls for most of the fourth quarter.

Shannon Kelly added 12 points with four assists and Lauren Bennett led the bench with 11 points, helped by three 3-pointers. Tori Fisher scored nine points with eight rebounds and Gabby Ramirez added another four assists for the offense. The Mountain Lions finished with a 40-24 rebounding advantage against the Roadrunners.

UCCS will remain on the road for a game on Friday, Dec. 11, at Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction, Colo. The Mavericks (4-1, 1-0 RMAC) defeated Westminster 60-40 tonight in Salt Lake City.