GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – For the fourth time this season, Western State Colorado University's Taylor Long (So., Moreno Valley, California) scored over 20 points in a game. The sophomore guard recorded 22 points, making all nine free throw attempts against Colorado Mesa University on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, CMU held on to a lead down the stretch, winning the contest 87-56.
 
Western (4-13, 2-13 RMAC) stayed with CMU (12-7, 9-6 RMAC) step for step in the first half. In the first quarter there two lead changes and two tied scores as only two points separated the two teams through the first 10 minutes.
 
In the second quarter, the Mavericks gained some separation with an 8-0 to take a 35-23 lead with 3:29 left to play in the first half. However, the Mountaineers cut the lead in half by the end of the quarter and went into halftime down 38-32.
 
After the break, CMU was able to pull away as they held the Mountaineers to seven third quarter points.
 
Long's 22 points were three away from tying a career high set earlier in the season against Dixie State University. Her nine made free throws ties a career high. Long made 9-of-10 free throws earlier this season against New Mexico Highlands University.
 
All five Mountaineer starters on Saturday night scored five or more points.
 
CMU's Bryanna Adams, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's second leading scorer, led all players in scoring with 26 points.
 
With the four-game road trip in the rearview mirror, Western returns home next weekend to host Metro State University Denver and UC – Colorado Springs.