PUEBLO, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs cut a 15-point fourth quarter deficit down to five points with 40.1 seconds to play, but the Mountain Lions (3-2) couldn't retake the lead in a 65-56 loss to Wayland Baptist (4-0) tonight at Massari Arena.
Tori Fisher earned her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead UCCS in both categories.
UCCS kept the Queens off the scoreboard for the first three minutes of the game to take an early 6-0 lead. Wayland Baptist put together a 10-1 run late in the quarter to take the lead and build a 16-9 advantage after the first quarter. The Mountains Lions scored in transition on three of four possessions early in the second quarter and outscored Wayland Baptist 16-7 in the period to take a 25-23 lead into halftime.
The Queens put together an eight-point run early in the third quarter to build a 31-27 lead in the first three minutes, and a 12-1 run later in the same quarter pushed it to a 45-32 advantage with 1:17 to play in the period. The Queens led by 15 points at 51-36 with 8:47 to play in the fourth quarter before UCCS scored eight straight points, helped by a pair of three-pointers from
Kristen Vigil, to cut the lead down to 51-44 with 6:32 remaining.
The Mountain Lions pulled Wayland Baptist within five points after a layup from Fisher and pair of free throws from
Jen Vigil made it a 61-56 contest in the final minute. The Queens went six-of-six at the free throw line in the last minute to hold off the Mountain Lions in the 65-56 result in the Colorado State-Pueblo Thanksgiving Classic.
Fisher's 12 boards were three off of her career-high and it marked the third time this season she led the team in rebounding. She went seven-of-11 from the field in her fourth double-digit scoring game of the season.
Maria Haas led the bench with 11 points and
Kristen Vigil finished with eight points with two free throws in addition to her two three-pointers.
Anna Schwecke made a pair of blocked shots along with six points and four rebounds.
UCCS will finish the non-conference season tomorrow in a 3 p.m., game with Morningside. The Mustangs (5-1) play host CSU-Pueblo later tonight.?
