GUNNISON, Colo. – It was a tale of two halves for Western State Colorado University women's basketball on Friday night. The Mountaineers seemed in control of UC-Colorado Springs in the first half, but the Mountain Lions were able to come away with a 61-55 win in Paul Wright Gym.
 
After taking the lead at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter, Western (4-12, 3-9 RMAC) would continue to lead for the next 20:52.
 
Although the Mountaineers led for the majority of the game, UCCS (13-5, 10-2 RMAC) kept the game close. Western's largest lead of the game was seven points, which they hit four times during the course of the 20:52 in which they led.
 
Western's offense was clicking in the first half. The Mountaineers made 13 field goals while shooting 50 percent from the field (13-of-26). Five Western players scored four or more points in the first half alone and the team went into halftime ahead 21-18.
 
In the third quarter, UCCS would go on a 9-2 run over 2:13 to tie the game 41-41 at the 6:25 mark. The Mountain Lions would then take the lead at the 4:34 mark. The Mountaineers regained the lead, but it was short lived as UCCS took a three-point lead, 48-45, into the fourth quarter.
 
Sadie Stroup led Western in scoring for the third straight game and was one of three Mountaineers to score in double figures. Stroup scored 16 points, while teammate Mackenzie Tucker scored 12 and Kaylynn Bush added 10.
 
Tucker was just two rebounds away from a double-double, while Bush needed three.
 
Jen Vigil was the Mountain Lions' leading scorer with 17 points. Brittany Hernandez recorded a double-double for UCCS, scoring 11 and grabbing 11 rebounds.
 
The Mountaineers will continue the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season tomorrow night, hosting Metro State University Denver at 5 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.