COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit Saturday night to defeat South Dakota Mines in Gallogly Events Center, 53-52.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: UCCS 53, South Dakota Mines 52
- Records: UCCS (9-15, 8-10 RMAC) | SDSM (3-21, 3-15 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: Tonight's UCCS win ties the all-time series with South Dakota Mines, 8-8, snapping a three-game winning streak by the Hardrockers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions and Hardrockers kept the score within three points of each other in the first quarter with UCCS leading SDM for more than seven minutes. Maison White and Sydney Nilles combined to score nine of the Mountain Lions 11 points in the first stanza as the Hardrockers squeaked out a 13-11 lead after one quarter of action after hitting two straight treys to end the quarter.
- The offense exploded in the second quarter for South Dakota Mines when they went on a 15-2 run to snag a 30-16 lead with just under four minutes left in the half. SDM made all four field goal attempts, including two three-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws. Talia DePetrillo broke up the scoring run with her first basket of the game that was delivered from downtown before Emily Hovasse made her second of two free throws to cut into SDM's lead, 30-20. Hovasse's free throw was the last point of the half as both teams went scoreless in the final three minutes.
- Down by 10 points to open the second half, Breelyn Robinson brought the deficit back to single digits with a jumper for her first points of the game and first points of the half. The Mountain Lions quickly found themselves trailing by 13 points, 35-22, just four minutes into the half before the second half surge started. Emily Hovasse drained a three-pointer from DePetrillo that sparked a 12-2 run to end the third quarter. Rylie Ottmann took advantage of a steal by White and turned into a deuce, followed by another trey from Hovasse. A bucket from Madelyn Heiser broke up the 8-0 run, but was followed by a steal and bucket from Agar Farres. Hovasse ended the third stanza with a jumper with 48 seconds left, bringing UCCS within three points of the Hardrockers, 37-34.
- For the first time since the first quarter, the Mountain Lions led SDM as White and Hovasse each netted three points and a 42-39 lead at the seven-minute mark. South Dakota Mines kept the pressure on the Mountain Lions and tied the game on a three-pointer, 46-46. White broke the tie with two clutch free throws before SDM turned the ball over that led to Hovasse's fourth three-pointer of the night. Abela found White for one of her three assists that turned into a layup and a four-point lead with 1:41 remaining. Bailey Johnson hit the eighth and final three-pointer for the Hardrockers to bring her team within one point, 53-52, with 82 ticks on the clock. A UCCS turnover 50 seconds later put the ball back in the Hardrockers hands, but UCCS forced Hardrockers to turn the ball over under their own basket, sealing the win for UCCS, 53-52.
GAME STATISTICS
- Hovasse came off the bench to score a team high 15 points, making 5-of-9 from the floor.
- White added 14 points on 5-of-8 field goals and 4-of-8 free throws. She pulled down a team high six rebounds while nabbing two steals.
- Abela dished out a game high three times from the bench and pulled in two rebounds.
- SDM's Madelyn Heiser notched a game high 23 points to go with eight rebounds. She made 7-of-11 from the floor, all four three-point attempts and went 5-of-6 at the line.
- UCCS outscored the Hardrockers in points from turnovers (20-11), points in the paint (28-12), second chance points (8-7) and points from the bench (27-8).
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Tonight's 53 points are the fewest points UCCS has scored this season in a win.
- Hovasse made a career high five field goals behind a career high four made three-pointers. Her four three-pointers ties the season high for UCCS and her 4-for-4 three-point field goal percentage is the highest this season for the Mountain Lions.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions continue their four-game homestand Tuesday night against Regis University 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.
