GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A dynamic performance by the Western State Colorado University women's basketball team earned the Mountaineers their first win of the season. Western defeated Bethany College (Kan.) 68-55 in the final game of the Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic in Grand Junction, Colo. on Saturday.
 
The Mountaineer defense came out swinging on Saturday. Western (1-3, 0-0 RMAC) held BC (0-9) without a field goal for the first 7:07, getting out to an 11-2 lead to start the first quarter.
 
Western's offense was also rolling, scoring a season high 68 points in the victory.
 
Western went into halftime ahead 32-25 after outscoring the Swedes 20-12 in the first quarter. BC outscored Western 13-12 in the second quarter.
 
After each team scored 16 points in the third, Western put the nail in the coffin with an 8-4 run to end the game, outscoring the Swedes 20-14 in the fourth.
 
Western's offense was led by Brianna Wilber as she netted 16 points. Three others scored in double figures for the Mountaineers. Harlie Williams and Mackenzie Tucker each added 12 points and Sadie Stroup added 11.
 
Wilber also added six rebounds and a game-high four assists.
 
As a team, Western shot 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from beyond the arc. Williams was 4-of-6 from downtown and Stroup was 2-for-2.
 
The Mountaineer defense forced 21 turnovers, converting those into 17 points.
 
Western won't wait long to get back onto the court. The Mountaineers host Colorado Mesa University at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game of the season.