COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team collected a victory in their home opening game against Point Loma Nazarene University, defeating the Sea Lions 72-66.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: UCCS 72, PLNU 66
- Records: UCCS (2-1, 0-0 RMAC) | PLNU (1-2, 0-0 PWC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: This was second time these teams have faced off with the last matchup coming on November 22nd, 2014. The Mountain Lions now have a 2-0 record against the Sea Lions.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Thursday night's match began with the Mountain Lions on the attack as their aggression earned themselves several trips to the free throw throughout the first quarter. Riley Ottmann connected with Maison White at the 8:13 mark as she notched her first points of the contest, making a layup while being fouled and would sink the free throw to complete the three-point play.
- Seven of UCCS' 18 points in the first quarter came from the charity stripe as they attempted 11 total to start the night and would hold a 18-12 lead heading into the second quarter.
- The Sea Lions cut into the Mountain Lion lead to open the second quarter after going on a run that had UCCS only up three with 7:30 to go before half. Offense would stall for the next two minutes for each team, but UCCS got things rolling again after back-to-back possessions saw Krystina Hagood hitting a floater then Amyah Moore Allen making a driving layup. The two baskets kick started a 12-7 run for the Mountain Lions to close out the first half as they went into halftime with a 34-26 lead.
- Point Loma came out of the break cutting into the UCCS lead even more as they went on a 6-0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the third quarter only leaving the Mountain Lions up two. UCCS ended this hot start from the Sea Lions when Moore Allen nailed a three off an assist from Sydney Nilles.
- Point Loma was seemingly gaining back momentum throughout the third quarter but would be stopped after a huge swing from the Mountain Lions where Breelyn Robinson nailed a three-pointer then Mya Wilson immediately stole the ball on defense and created a look for White who finished the layup in transition to place the Mountain Lions up 48-39 with two minutes to go in the third.
- Up 10 to start the fourth, UCCS responded to every Point Loma attack and would hold a comfortable 12-point lead with only 3:39 to go in the game. The Sea Lions would go on one last push in the last three minutes, but UCCS would make their free throws and close the game with a 72-66 victory.
GAME STATISTICS
- White led both teams in scoring tonight with 18 points to go along with five rebounds. Hagood contributed 12 points with seven rebounds and three steals off the bench while Moore Allen added 11 points with seven boards, two assists, one steal, and one block.
- Despite the victory, the Mountain Lions were out rebounded (39-38), had a worse field goal percentage from the field (43.6 percent-36.1 percent), and from three-point range (46.7 percent-25 percent).
- The Mountain Lions defense was everywhere tonight as they collected 11 steals and forced the Sea Lions to turn the ball over 19 times.
- UCCS led the game in points from turnovers (20-11), second chance points (14-10), fast break points (15-1), and points from the bench (30-23).
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS drew a lot of contact tonight as they attempted 35 free throws in tonight's contest, making 23 of them, for a percentage of 65.7 percent. This would've been the second most attempted in a game from last years team.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions next matchup comes against No. 15 Regis University on Monday November 20th at 5 p.m. at Gallogly Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
