CANYON, Texas – After a historic win in a historic trip, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team (25-6) will look to continue the trend in the Second Round of the 2015 NCAA Division II National Tournament today against Colorado Christian University (19-13). The teams will meet at the First United Bank Center on the campus of West Texas A&M University at 4 p.m., MDT.
The teams have split their two meetings this season, but it was Colorado Christian who won eight days ago in the RMAC Tournament semifinals in Grand Junction, Colo. The Cougars went on to win the RMAC Tournament against Colorado State-Pueblo, the team the Mountain Lions defeated 73-63 yesterday in the first NCAA postseason win in program history.
Both Colorado Christian and UCCS won their first NCAA tournament games in their respective histories yesterday. Christian is making its second NCAA tournament and first since the 2010-11 season. The Cougars defeated Midwestern State 67-57 to reach the second round today.
Brittany Hernandez broke a 23-year UCCS season rebounding record yesterday and increased her total to 264 boards. She also surpassed 500 points and is second in UCCS records with 507 this season.
The 500-point season mark has only been surpassed four times in program history, and twice by
Abby Kirchoff. She has a program-record 596 points and 1,914 in her career. A long tournament run could put her into contention for the RMAC career record of 1,996 set by Regis' Diana Lopez from 2003-07. Kirchoff is leading the RMAC with 19.2 points per season.
The teams are among the final 32 teams in action, and a win for the Mountain Lions would move them into the Sweet 16. Tonight's winner would face the winner of the second game tonight between West Texas A&M and Arkansas-Fort Smith on Monday night in Canyon, Texas.
Fans will be able to follow the game for free with live stats, audio and video coverage. A watch party will also available at Clyde's, located on the lower level of the University Center on the UCCS campus.
