COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A slow start for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions put them in an early deficit they would make a comeback from, however, a late final push by the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers let them pull away and spoil the season finale Thursday night, 77-67.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: UCCS 67, SDM 77
Records: UCCS (13-15, 11-11 RMAC), SDM (7-20, 7-14 RMAC)
Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colorado
All-Time Series: This was the 14
th meeting all-time between the Mountain Lions and Hardrockers. South Dakota Mines tied the all-time series 7-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a slow start for the Mountain Lions as they struggled to get going on both ends. SDM guard Ryan Weiss started off the game with hot shooting, making 3-of-3 from beyond the arc to help build the Hardrockers lead. Maison White put up six points for UCCS to help cut into the lead. UCCS trailed 22-17 at the end of the first quarter.
- UCCS pushed back a bit in the second quarter as they'd win the quarter 19-17. White continued to play well on offense putting up eight more points in the frame, including six straight points for UCCS. Despite shooting much better, they still only trailed at halftime 39-36.
- It was a strong third quarter for the Mountain Lions as they forced the Hardrockers into their worst shooting quarter of the game allowing them to shoot just 5-of-19 from the field. Alexa Dominguez and White combined for eight points, including the game-tying layup with 14 seconds left to leave the score 49-49.
- South Dakota Mines got hot in the fourth quarter, shooting 67 percent from the field while UCCS struggled shooting just 37 percent. SDM pulled away with a 9-3 run midway through the fourth quarter and never looked back.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- White dominated on the scoreboard tying for a game-high 24 points.
- Sophie Abela led the Mountain Lions with four assists on the night.
- UCCS out-rebounded SDM 38-37, led by White and Ellie Moore with seven apiece.
- UCCS shot 38.2 percent from the field while SDM shot 48.3 percent.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- White's 24 points is a season-high and the fourth time she's led the team in scoring.
- White led the team in rebounds for the seventh time and it was the third time for Moore.
- UCCS finishes the regular season with a 13-15 overall record.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will await the final RMAC games of the season this weekend as the regular season ends Saturday night. Currently in seventh place in the PI standings, the 2022 RMAC Tournament bracket will be announced Saturday night. Stay tuned to www.gomountainlions.com for complete tournament information.
SOCIAL
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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.