COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team came out on top after a close battle with the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls but pulled away in the fourth quarter to win 77-65.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP 

• Final: UCCS 77, NMHU 65
• Records: UCCS (9-7, 5-4 RMAC) | NMHU (7-8, 4-5 RMAC)
• Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.  
• All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions own a 29-26 record over the Cowgirls since 1990.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• After allowing a 10-2 run to open Thursday night's game, the Mountain Lions, led by Amyah Moore Allen and Maison White, went on an 11-0 run in a two-and-a-half-minute stretch. The two teams played to a 10-7 run in UCCS' favor to end the first quarter with the Mountain Lions leading 23-17. UCCS held the Cowgirls to shoot just 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from the field but allowed them to hit 42.9 percent (3-of-7) from behind the three-point line.
• NMHU opened the second quarter by decreasing their deficit to two (25-23). Both teams' offenses stalled in the middle portion of the frame, but the scoring picked up in the final three and a half minutes to end the first half. The Cowgirls closed the quarter on an 8-4 run, but the Mountain Lions commanded the lead heading into the break (32-31). Moore Allen got to the free throw line quickly in the first half, going 6-of-7 from the charity stripe, to go along with her 10 points.
• UCCS and NMHU traded blows at the start of the second half, but after an Emily Vidal three-pointer, the Mountain Lions increased their lead to 42-35 at the 6:41 mark. UCCS grew their lead up to nine (53-44) after a pair of Moore Allen free throws with a minute remaining in the quarter. The Cowgirls replied with five unanswered points, but Ellen Silva would hit a turnaround jumper, giving the Mountain Lions a 55-49 lead going into the fourth quarter.
• Rylie Ottmann hit a three-pointer on the first possession of the fourth, and Gia Bradley hit a jump shot on the following possession. NMHU responded promptly, scoring the following seven points unanswered. With 5:27 to go and the Mountain Lions up six (64-58), White pulled down an offensive rebound and kicked it out to Bradley, who nailed a three-pointer at the top of the key, giving UCCS more of a cushion.
• The Cowgirls fought back like they had all night, pulling themselves within six again with 2:40 remaining in the game. UCCS locked in defensively and sunk clutch free throws to bring their lead to 12 points with 51 seconds to go. The Mountain Lions stayed in control from there, winning 77-65.

GAME STATISTICS 

• Maison White led the way for the Mountain Lions tonight on both ends of the floor, scoring 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field while pulling down 14 rebounds. White also recorded three assists, one block, and one steal.
• Amyah Moore Allen was right behind White in the scoring department, scoring 19 points herself while shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
• Other Mountain Lions who contributed by putting up points include Gia Bradley (11), Breelyn Robinson (nine), and Emily Vidal (eight).
• UCCS locked down NMHU on the defensive end all night, holding the Cowgirls to shoot 37.4 percent (24-of-64) from the field and 28.6 percent (6-of-21) from beyond the arc.
• UCCS dominated the paint tonight, scoring 38 points down low while holding NMHU to just 20.
• The Mountain Lions drew fouls and efficiently got to the free throw line, shooting 21-of-29 from the charity stripe. Conversely, UCCS was disciplined on defense, allowing just 12 free-throw attempts from the Cowgirls.
• The Mountain Lions struggled to control the ball in tonight's game, turning it over 24 times, leading to 28 points from the Cowgirls.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE 

• White's 23 points, nine field goals made, 14 field goals attempted, and three assists are all season highs for the senior forward.
• Moore Allen's nine free throws made mark a career-high.
• UCCS shot 54.3 percent from the field, which is the best shooting game the Mountain Lions have had as a team this season.
• The Mountain Lions have won 9 of the last 10 games against the Cowgirls.

UP NEXT 

• The Mountain Lions stay home next time out as they take on Fort Lewis College on Saturday, January 25. The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be played at the Gallogly Events Center.