STEPHENVILLE, Texas. – The Western State Colorado University women's basketball team (0-1, 0-1 RMAC) played three tight quarters of basketball before succumbing to Tarleton State University (1-0, 1-0 LSC) in the fourth quarter 50-71.
 
Through three quarters the Mountaineers balanced their offense against a tough TexAnn squad. Western jumped out to a quick lead in the first, but it would be their only lead of the game. For the rest of the game, the Mountaineers scrapped with the TexAnns despite shooting 33% on the night and cut the lead to within five points in the third quarter on a lay-up by Katie Dalton.
 
Western was down 42-50 to start the fourth quarter but the Mountaineers could not overcome a book-ended scoring attack by the TexAnns who posted 44 of their 71 points in the first and fourth quarters on 53% shooting.
 
In Stephenville, it was the new-look Mountaineers as four new-comers started for the Mountaineers. Leading the way for Western was freshman forward, Katie Dalton with 18 points and five rebounds on the night. Dalton shot 43% on the night as the only Mountaineer to hit double digit scoring. Freshman Jessie Erickson had a good night in the front-court for the Mountaineers posting 5 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in a balanced game.
 
Despite not having veteran post player Katie Najvar in the lineup, the young Mountaineers proved their presence in the paint. With 26 points in the paint, Western took advantage of their inside game to counter a Tarleton offense that shot 47% percent from three.
 
Western also brought it on the boards with 33 total rebounds. Nearly equalizing the TexAnns on the glass, the Mountaineers put up 15 second-chance points off their efforts in the paint.
 
McKinlay Bostad lead Tartleton State with 12 points as three TexAnns put up double digits in the scoring column.
 
The Mountaineers return to action tomorrow night versus Texas Woman's College in the Conference Challenge.