DENVER, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs senior forward
Brittany Hernandez scored 25 points, but it wouldn't be enough as the Mountain Lions fell 67-59 to Regis tonight at the Regis Field House. It was her third 20-point game of the conference season and added nine rebounds with three assists to lead UCCS (6-4, 3-1 RMAC) in all three categories.
The Rangers (8-1, 3-1 RMAC) scored the first 13 points of the game and held the Mountain Lions scoreless for the first five minutes, 31 seconds of the game.
Anna Schwecke scored the first points of the game for UCCS to spark an eight-point run and cut the Ranger lead down to five points. Regis expanded the lead to nine points at 20-11 at the end of the quarter and led by 12 early in the second quarter. UCCS pulled to within one point of Regis at 32-31 with 2:09 left in the second quarter and Hernandez used a pair of free throws with 38 seconds left in the quarter to keep the Rangers within two points at halftime, 35-33.
Hernandez tied the game 15 seconds into the third quarter, but UCCS wouldn't score again until three minutes later when she made a three-pointer to cut the Regis lead down to 40-38. The Rangers held the Mountain Lions to nine points in the third quarter to take a 53-42 advantage. UCCS scored six straight to pull within five points at 60-55 with 1:14 to play, but Regis made seven of its last eight free throws to secure the 67-59 decision.
Hernandez moved into fourth in UCCS career scoring records tonight and has 1,244 in her career. She needs 91 to move into a tie for third. She improved her career rebounding total to 565 and is three away from tying former teammate Abby Kirchoff for third.
Mia Carter made a career-high four blocked shots and led the bench with nine points.
The Mountain Lions will return home next week for two games to close out the fall semester. UCCS will host Colorado Christian (3-6, 1-3 RMAC) on Friday before Colorado Mines (7-6, 3-1 RMAC) on Saturday. Both nights will start at 5:30 p.m., at the Gallogly Events Center.
