LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Despite
Amyah Moore Allen's 30-point performance, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team fell short at New Mexico Highlands University Thursday night, 69-60.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 60, NMHU 69
- Records: UCCS (10-7, 6-3 RMAC) | NMHU (8-8, 4-5 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: John Wilson Complex | Las Vegas, N.M.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions lead NMHU in the all-time series, 30-27.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- New Mexico Highlands won the opening tip and scored the game's first points, but UCCS quickly answered. On the Cowgirls' next possession, Jayla Jackson-Allen came up with a block that sparked a transition opportunity, capped by a floating jumper in the paint from Amyah Moore Allen. After the Cowgirls scored on consecutive trips, Moore Allen took over—finishing a layup before blocking a shot on the other end and converting it into a three-pointer from the left wing to give the Mountain Lions their first lead, 7-6. Moore Allen knocked down her second three-pointer of the quarter as she accounted for UCCS's first 10 points. Gia Bradley later found Rylie Ottmann for a three-pointer, sending the Mountain Lions into the first-quarter break with a 15-14 advantage.
- Gia Bradley opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to extend UCCS's lead to 18-14, but Kimara McClure answered with a three-pointer of her own on the Cowgirls' ensuing possession. Moore Allen continued to assert herself inside, knocking down back-to-back jumpers before Jackson-Allen grabbed a defensive rebound and went coast-to-coast for a driving layup. Jackson-Allen followed with another strong take to the basket, giving the Mountain Lions a 28-26 advantage. Moore Allen later kicked it out to Bradley on the left wing for a deep three, and Breelyn Robinson added a triple of her own to push UCCS to its largest lead of the half, 34-29. New Mexico Highlands responded with a three from Kamalani Anitielu, and a flagrant foul with 50 seconds remaining led to two free throws and a layup by Aniya Johnson, as the Cowgirls closed the half on an 8-0 run.
- New Mexico Highlands carried its momentum into the second half, scoring four straight points before Jackson-Allen converted a layup to halt a 12-0 Cowgirls run. Moore Allen responded by knocking down her third three-pointer of the game off an inbounds set from the far-right wing, then added a pair of free throws to pull the Mountain Lions within two, 43-41. After a media timeout with the score tied at 45-45, the Cowgirls put together a 10-2 run over the next three-and-a-half minutes to build their largest lead of the game, 57-47. Ayianna Johnson finished a pass from Ottmann for a layup late in the quarter, but two New Mexico Highlands free throws sent UCCS into the fourth trailing 59-49.
- Moore Allen took control in the fourth quarter, accounting for UCCS's first 10 points of the period. She opened the frame by securing a defensive rebound and going coast to coast for a layup, then kicked out to Mya Wilson for a three-pointer. Moore Allen followed by grabbing the offensive rebound on her own miss and converting the putback, added a jumper, and went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line to pull the Mountain Lions within three, 62-59. During UCCS's 10-3 run, Moore Allen outscored the Cowgirls 7-3. The Cowgirls were able to prevail and hang on to their lead, outscoring UCCS 7-1 in the final minutes to secure a 69-60 home win.
GAME STATISTICS
- Moore Allen led both teams with 30 points after making 11-of-25 field goals, 3-of-6 three-point field goals, and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. She also added eight rebounds, blocked three shots, stole the ball twice, and dished out two dimes.
- Jackson-Allen contributed a game-high nine caroms to go with her two assists and seven points.
- The Mountain Lions made 23-of-63 from the floor (36.5 percent), 8-of-20 from behind the arc (40 percent), and 6-of-14 from the charity line (42.9 percent).
- NMHU held the advantage in the paint, outscoring UCCS 36-26, and the NMHU bench outscored UCCS, 28-11.
- The Cowgirls were led by Aniya Johnson's 18 points and four steals.
BEYOND THE BOX
- UCCS tied a season high in made three-pointers with eight treys tonight, and they blocked a season high six shots.
- Jackson-Allen snagged a career high nine rebounds, while Moore Allen's three blocks marked the third game this season with three blocked shots.
- Moore Allen moved up to No. 3 in the all-time career scoring list with 1,473 points. She also moved up to a tie for ninth place all-time in steals (162), and her two assists tonight gave her sole possession of ninth place in the career books (187).
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will play at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
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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.
