GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs senior forward Brittany Hernandez recorded her seventh 20-point game of the season as UCCS (13-6, 10-3 RMAC) dropped an 80-63 contest to Colorado Mesa tonight in Brownson Arena. Hernandez scored 25 points to lead the Mountain Lions against the Mavericks (13-4, 10-3 RMAC).

The Mountain Lions opened a quick 6-2 lead against the Mavericks before Colorado Mesa scored nine unanswered points to take an 11-6 advantage with 4:52 left in the first quarter. The Mavericks led by as many as seven points at 19-12 with 1:17 to play in the quarter at the end of a separate 8-2 run.

UCCS scored four points in the final 36 seconds of the first quarter, and Hernandez opened the second quarter with a quick layup to pull the Mountain Lions within one point at 19-18. The Mavericks would be able to hold off the Mountain Lions until UCCS closed out the first half on an 11-2 run and take 32-27 lead into halftime.

The teams played within five points of each through the duration of the third quarter, but Colorado Mesa scored 13 straight points in the fourth quarter to open the first double-digit lead for either team at 67-52 with 4:47 to play. The Mavericks struggled at the free throw in the final minute as the Mountain Lions fouled to stop the clock, but UCCS couldn't close the gap in the setback to Colorado Mesa.

Hernandez turned in her best scoring night in more than a month and went 11-of-14 from the field with a three-pointer and two free throws. She tied for the team-lead of five rebounds with Jennah Knafelc and Tori Fisher. Knafelc scored 10 points in her second 10-point performance in the last three games and finished one rebound short of her season-high.

UCCS will return home in a quick turnaround for a Tuesday game against MSU Denver. The Roadrunners (11-9, 7-6 RMAC) won 60-55 earlier tonight at Western State.