LAKEWOOD, Colo. – A seven-point lead in the fourth quarter by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team was distinguished by late three-pointers and free throws as Colorado Christian University handed UCCS a 56-52 setback Saturday night in Lakewood, Colo.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: UCCS 52, Colorado Christian 56
- Records: UCCS (7-12, 6-7 RMAC) | CCU (8-11, 4-9 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: CCU Event Center | Lakewood, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS owns a 33-21 all-time record against the Cougars, including winning three of the last four games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions dominated the Cougars for a majority of the game and led CCU for more than 33 minutes. Agar Farres netted the first points of the game as both teams battled each other on both ends of the court in the opening stanza. Farres connected with Breelyn Robinson who hit her first three-pointer of the game to knot the game at 7-7. Robinson was feeling it from downtown, netting two more baskets from behind the arc as she scored nine straight points for the Mountain Lions, giving UCCS a 13-10 lead. Robinson added a steal that led to a layup from Sydney Nilles for a 15-10 UCCS lead.
- Nilles' layup with 3:58 left in the first quarter was the last point for either team until Alexa Dominguez connected with Maison White for a basket 38 seconds in the second quarter. Rylie Ottmann extended the Mountain Lions lead when she found the bottom of the net from downtown, giving the visitors a 22-15 lead. UCCS took their largest lead of the half after Gaia Zimbardo put two down on a layup with 4:10 left in the half and a 24-17 UCCS advantage. The Cougars would not go away as they went on a 10-4 run that featured two three-pointers to bring them within one point of UCCS, 26-25. CCU's Regan Loconte tied the game at 29-all but Zimbardo made her second free throw attempt to end the half and give UCCS a 30-29 lead going into the break.
- The Cougars continued to battle the Mountain Lions in the second half and eventually snagged a 33-32 lead three minutes into the half. CCU's lead didn't last long as UCCS went on a 7-0 run in just 62 seconds of action. Nation started the run with a bucket, followed by another trey from Robinson before White's layup put UCCS up by six, 39-33.
- Holding onto a 43-38 lead after three quarters, Ottmann made 1-of-2 free throws to give UCCS a 50-45 lead with 3:03 left in regulation. CCU grabbed the defensive rebound off Ottmann's second free throw and turned it into a layup. UCCS had a chance to increase on their 50-47 lead but missed two field goal attempts. CCU grabbed the defensive rebound and went to the other end of the court that led to back-to-back three-pointers and a 53-50 CCU lead. Coming out of a timeout, White made a layup to take UCCS to within one point of CCU, 53-52. Forced to foul and send CCU to the line, the Mountain Lions committed five fouls in three seconds, but the Cougars were able to make 3-of-4 free throws to end the game and give UCCS a 56-52 setback.
GAME STATISTICS
- White made 7-of-16 field goals for a team high 14 points. Eleven of her 13 rebounds came on the defensive glass.
- Robinson finished with 13 points, 12 of which came from behind the arc. She also tallied three steals and three dimes.
- Nilles dished out a team high five assists and chipped in two steals, two points and five caroms.
- The Mountain Lions made 22-of-55 field goals for 40 percent and 5-of-14 three-pointers for 35.7 percent.
- Both teams combined to shoot 15 free throws. UCCS hit 3-of-8 from the line as CCU made 5-of-7.
- CCU outscored the Mountain Lions in the paint (30-24), second chance points (10-8) and off turnovers (14-9), but UCCS' bench netted 17 points to CCU's 11.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Tonight's 56-52 decision is the fifth time this season neither team has scored more than 60 points.
- White registered her 11th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
- Robinson had a career night with 13 points (ties career high), three assists and three steals. Her four made three-pointers and eight three-point attempts are also career highs.
- Ottmann's eight points are a career high.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will return home to play a single game next weekend. UCCS will play host to New Mexico Highlands University on Friday at 5 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
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.
