PUEBLO, Colo. – Abby Kirchoff scored 19 second-half points as No. 22 University of Colorado Colorado Springs took a 20-point halftime deficit down to four points with 24 seconds to play, but the Mountain Lions (18-4 / 13-3 RMAC) couldn't complete the comeback in a 74-68 setback at Colorado State-Pueblo (12-8 / 10-6 RMAC). Kirchoff finished with 21 points and led the Mountain Lion offense in the game.

The ThunderWolves opened up a 10-point lead by 12 minutes and 52 seconds in the first half at 18-8 and it became a 20-point game at 45-25 with a three-pointer at the first half buzzer. CSU-Pueblo shot 49 percent from the field in the first half and forced eight Mountain Lion turnovers. Gabby Ramirez, Sam Patterson and Kellie Krueger each scored seven points in the first half.

UCCS opened the second half on an 18-5 run to cut the CSU-Pueblo lead down to seven points in the first 7:04 in the second half. The Mountain Lions made three blocked shots, with a pair from Krueger, and forced three turnovers with no turnover of their own during the rally. A jumper from Kirchoff cut it down to four-point game at 56-52 with 8:55, but the Mountain Lions couldn't cut it down any further as the ThunderWolves kept a 4-to-8 point advantage for the rest of the game.

Kirchoff went eight-of-12 from the field in the second half and recorded her 12th 20-point game of the season. Tori Fisher, Ramirez and Krueger each added 10 points, and Patterson led the rebounding effort with eight boards. UCCS out-rebounded CSU-Pueblo 20-15 in the second half and 38-37 overall in the game.

The Mountain Lions will remain on the road for a trip through southwestern Colorado against Adams State on Friday and Fort Lewis on Saturday. Adams State (3-17 / 3-13 RMAC) lost to Western New Mexico 65-56 earlier tonight.