GUNNISON, Colo. – Sharp shooting by Chelsea Pearson and key plays by Elly Johnson as time ran out helped the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team earn a 65-59 win at Western State Colorado University Saturday night.
 
The win improves UCCS to 2-5 on the season and 2-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games.  WSCU moves to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the RMAC.
 
Caley Barnard hit the front end of two free throws to give UCCS a 62-59 lead with 16 seconds left in regulation.  Barnard missed the second attempt, but Johnson secured the rebound eventually forcing the Mountaineers to foul the Mountain Lions.  Pearson hit both free throws to boost the lead to five, 64-59, with nine seconds left.
 
After a 30-second timeout, Johnson stole the ball and made the second of two free throw attempts to seal the win for UCCS, 65-59.
 
Pearson finished the game with a team high 16 points.  She was solid from the floor hitting 4-of-6, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. 
 
UCCS' eight three-point field goals are the second most this season, as are the 65 points.  They made a season high 19 free throws on a season high 26 attempts.
 
Barnard added 10 points, a game high seven rebounds and two steals, while Johnson chipped in five rebounds, three points, two steals and an assist.  Tatum Tellin came off the bench to tally seven points, six rebounds and a team high four assists.
 
UCCS will start a six-game home stand beginning Dec. 15-16 against Regis University and Colorado Christian University.