ALAMOSA, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs sophomore forward Brittany Hernandez scored 21 points with nine rebounds and three blocked shots to lead the Mountain Lions (19-4 / 14-3 RMAC) to an 80-78 victory at Adams State (3-16 / 3-14 RMAC). The victory moves UCCS within one win of matching the program record for season wins.

Hernandez scored the first nine points for UCCS and the Mountain Lions led 14-7 with 9 minutes and 40 seconds to play in the first half. UCCS put together an 11-2 run to build a 25-13 lead with 5:49 to play in the period, but the Grizzlies closed out the half on a 10-2 run to make it a five-point Mountain Lion lead at the break, 35-30.

Adams State opened the second half on 15-2 run during the first three minutes to turn a five-point halftime deficit into an eight-point lead at 45-37. The Grizzlies held off two Mountain Lion ties until a six-point UCCS rally put the Mountain Lions up 58-56 with 8:12 to play.

UCCS scored five straight points to take a one-point lead at 77-76 with 1:13 to play, but Adams State retook the lead with 61 seconds to play at 78-77. Abby Kirchoff drew a charge with 23 seconds to play, and made two free throws after she was fouled on a layup on the next possession. The Grizzlies took a timeout with eight seconds to play, and the inbounds play after the timeout was stolen by Jessika Kienitz.

Kienitz quickly passed the ball to Hernandez, who was fouled with six seconds to play. She made the second of two free throws to put UCCS up 80-78, and Adams State struggled maintaining possession in the final six seconds as time expired with no shot attempt.

Hernandez finished with her 12th 20-point game of the season. She moved into second in UCCS sophomore scoring records with 404 points this season, and is nine points away from tying for No. 10 in overall season records. Sam Patterson added 13 points to lead the bench with nine points at the free throw line and Kirchoff finished with 12 points.

The 19 victories this season matches the total from the 2012-13 season, and is one short of the 20 wins in the 2001-02 season. Tonight was the fifth win against Adams State in the last six games dating back to Feb. 10, 2012.

UCCS will travel to Durango, Colo., tonight for a Saturday game at Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks (12-9 / 9-8 RMAC) fell to Colorado State-Pueblo 67-60 earlier tonight.