COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Despite a tight first half, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions blew the doors wide open in the second half with an impressive passing display and tenacious defense against the Chadron State College Eagles, 78-61, clinching their first wire-to-wire victory of the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: UCCS 78, CSC 61
Records: UCCS (10-14, 8-10 RMAC), CSC (7-16, 6-11 RMAC)
Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colorado
All-Time Series: This was the 42
nd meeting all-time between the Mountain Lions and Eagles. UCCS leads the all-time series 26-16.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions got off to a quick start putting up the first five points by Alexa Dominguez and Gracie Haneborg hitting from deep. Sophie Abela made it a point to get to the basket early and often as she forced her way into a pair of tough finishes in the quarter. The defense also started strong forcing Chadron State into six turnovers. UCCS maintained a strong five-point lead ending the quarter up 15-10.
- It was more of the same in the second quarter as UCCS and CSC traded baskets throughout the quarter. The big impact came late in the quarter with some big minutes from Emily Doolittle who put in a big five minutes, but more importantly a deflection and a monster block to disrupt Chadron State's final possession of the half. UCCS would take a 35-30 lead into halftime.
- After trading baskets for the first few minutes to open the half, UCCS blew things wide open in the third quarter thanks to strong shooting and tough defense holding Chadron State to just 3-13 from the field. Abela picked up six of her 11 points in the frame. UCCS was able to expand the lead with a score of 55-45.
- The blowout was on in the fourth as UCCS had their best shooting quarter of the game, going 10-15 from the field. Three players for the Mountain Lions put up six points to help close the game out. UCCS led by as many as 21 points on their way to the 78-61 final.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Jasmine Jeffcoat led all scorers in the game with 18 points.
- Shelby Megyeri had the game-high with five assists.
- UCCS out-rebounded CSC 45-39.
- UCCS shot 52.4 percent from the field while CSC shot 27.9 percent.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- This was the sixth time Jeffcoat led the team in rebounds with a game-high nine boards.
- With 26 assists, UCCS set a new single game high this season for assists in a single game.
- With the win, and Adams State University winning, UCCS remains tied for the eight seed in the RMAC standings.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will hit the road next Friday evening for a matchup with Colorado Christian University. Tip-off will be at 5 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.