COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Senior Madi Gaibler enjoyed her final game to the fullest finishing with a team high 18 points in addition to her three assists, two steals, and eight rebounds. Gaibler's performance helped the Mountain Lions dominate the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, 70-49.
Tonight's performance from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions was reminiscent of the previous weekend where they dominated all game. UCCS came out strong and hard and it became clear that Mines was not ready for it as the Mountain Lions went on a 12-3 run for the first five minutes and a half minutes. The Mountain Lions were able to throw off Mines usual shooting game and kept them below 28 percent from the field compared to their usual 40 percent. Gaibler and Kaity Hovasse were crucial on the defensive end finishing the game with eight and 12 rebounds, respectively. Senior Caley Barnard was on the prow defensively snagging three steals with one assist on the offensive end.
Second quarter started with the Mountain Lions leading 23-14 and the game quickly became physical on both ends as defense amped up during the second half. Abby Feickert took two offensive charges. UCCS was able to force seven turnovers against Mines and were able to gain five points off of them. Hovasse ended the first half with the final five points, an easy lay-up and casual three.
Hovasse started the second half like she finished the first with an easy lay-up to increase the lead, 43-26. From there the Mountain Lions never let up on the gas pedal. Denali Pinto tried to get her team back in the game, but Mountain Lion defense kept her to just 12 points, far from her average of 20 points, and only one assist for the evening.
Gaibler ended the night shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 40 percent behind the arc, and 100 percent at the free throw line. Senior Caley Barnard shot 40 percent for the night and had two rebounds and a steal to go with her three defensive steals. Freshman Ellie Moore ended her season with eight points and two steals for the game, while Hovasse led the team with six assists. Chelsea Pearson ended her night with seven points, shooting 40 percent from behind downtown (2-5), and had four assists and six rebounds all of them coming from the defensive end.
The Mountain Lions end their season 11-17 overall and 10-12 in the RMAC. The Oredigger's leave tonight 18-9 for the season and 15-7 in the conference.
