GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Playing in their fourth straight road game and facing the seventh-ranked team in Division II on their home court, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team dropped a 79-61 decision at No. 7 Colorado Mesa University Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 61, CMU 79
- Records: UCCS (12-8, 8-4 RMAC) | CMU (22-1, 12-0 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Brownson Arena | Grand Junction, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions moved to 15-45 all-time against Colorado Mesa, and 4-28 when playing CMU on their home court.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CMU was whistled for an offensive foul on the opening possession, and Amyah Moore Allen capitalized, taking the ball coast-to-coast for the first points of the afternoon to give UCCS a 2–0 lead. The Mavericks answered on the next trip, but Moore Allen knocked down a pull-up jumper to keep the Mountain Lions in front briefly. CMU responded with two straight baskets to claim its first lead, 6–4. Senior guard Rylie Ottmann halted a 6–0 Maverick run with a spin move under the basket, but CMU continued to build momentum, taking a 12–6 advantage at the first media timeout. Down 14–6, Moore Allen attacked the lane for a layup and followed with two free throws on the next possession to cut the deficit to four. Hallie Clark connected on the game's first three-pointer for CMU, which Ottmann quickly answered with a deep triple of her own. Clark had the final word in the opening quarter, though, draining the third straight three to give the Mavericks a 20–13 lead after one.
- UCCS opened the second quarter with crisp ball movement as Mya Wilson delivered a bounce pass to Brynae Stewart on a backdoor cut for the Mountain Lions' first basket of the stanza. Ayianna Johnson and Moore Allen combined to stop a brief CMU run, scoring four straight points for UCCS. However, Brooke Eyre caught fire for the Mavericks, scoring eight consecutive points to push the lead to 34–21 and force a UCCS timeout with 3:40 remaining in the half. Moore Allen scored on a turnaround jumper and Ottmann added two free throws to trim the margin to 34–25, but CMU answered by converting two offensive rebounds into four points. A costly foul on a desperation half-court attempt sent the Mavericks to the line with 0.1 seconds remaining, and CMU made two free throws to take a 40–25 lead into halftime.
- Johnson and Moore Allen opened the second half by securing defensive rebounds, sparking a 5–1 UCCS run with Moore Allen accounting for four of the Mountain Lions' five points. Gia Bradley followed by converting an offensive rebound into a three-pointer off a Moore Allen assist, trimming the deficit to 49–34 midway through the third quarter. Jayla Jackson-Allen scored on a driving layup before a jump ball went in UCCS' favor, leading to another basket as Moore Allen found Stewart cutting to the rim to bring the Mountain Lions within 15, 55–40. Ottmann later set up Wilson at the top of the key for a three-pointer to close the quarter, but UCCS still trailed No. 7 CMU, 61–44, heading into the final stanza.
- Wilson fueled the Mountain Lions early in the fourth quarter, having a hand in five of UCCS' first six points with two baskets and an assist to cut the margin to 65–50 and force a CMU timeout with 6:40 remaining. Out of the break, Moore Allen came up with a steal and fed Jackson-Allen for a layup. Jackson-Allen then secured a defensive rebound that led to a Breelyn Robinson three-pointer, capping an 11–4 UCCS run and pulling the Mountain Lions within 10, 65–55. UCCS briefly cut the deficit to nine, but CMU regained control at the free-throw line, converting six foul shots following a double technical to extend the lead back to double digits. The Mavericks held off the Mountain Lions' second-half rally and maintained their advantage until the final buzzer, securing a 79–61 victory.
GAME STATISTICS
- Moore Allen scored a team high 18 points on 8-of-18 field goals and 2-of-2 free throws. She added four assists and two steals to her line.
- Ottmann and Wilson both chipped in nine points, with Wilson sharing team high honors in assists with four.
- Johnson pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, six of which were on the offensive glass.
- UCCS outscored CMU in the paint, 34-28, and on second chance points, 10-7.
- The Mountain Lions edged the Mavericks on the boards, 34-33, and forced CMU to commit 16 turnovers.
- CMU won the battle at the free throw line, hitting 26-of-29 for 89.7 percent, while the Mountain Lions were successful on 13-of-20 attempts (65 percent).
BEYOND THE BOX
- Today's loss snapped a two-game winning streak against the Mavericks on their home court.
- The win over UCCS today marks CMU's 19th straight win as they remain undefeated at home, 9-0.
UP NEXT
- UCCS returns home next week and will play host to South Dakota Mines on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5 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.
