GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Western women's basketball captured a win against Northern New Mexico College in their first game of the Holiday-Inn Airport Thanksgiving Classic on Friday. A strong second-half effort led to a 73-57 win for Western.
 
With the win, Western (2-3, 0-0 RMAC) has now won two of their last three games in the span of a week. After the loss, NNMC moves to (3-7) on the season.
 
For the first time this season, three Mountaineers scored in double-digits as they pulled away from the Eagles in the second half. Western had their best shooting night of the season, shooting 35% from the floor and 34% from 3-point.
 
Keelie Lawler led Western with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. It was Lawler's first double-double of her collegiate career. Steady scorer, Jessie Erickson had a strong game for the Mountaineers putting up 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Samantha Coleman also put up a career-high 12 points for the Mountaineers.
 
After a relatively slow first-half, Western headed into the locker room leading 28-25. Coming out of the break, the Mountaineers exploded in the third quarter combining for 25 points – equaling their first-half output.
 
In the quarter, Lawler scored six of her 13 points, while Coleman also got hot for the Mountaineers. On three straight possessions, the Mountaineers popped three-point baskets from Lawler, Coleman, and Vinson to build a six-point edge at the 5:54 mark.
 
Over the next two minutes, the Mountaineers would hold the Eagles scoreless as they built on their lead. Heading into the fourth, Western led by 15 points, 53-38.
 
Through the fourth quarter, Western maintained their lead never letting NNMC get within 15 points while also leading by as much as 21 with 4:01 remaining in the game.
 
Western capitalized on NNMC turnovers, putting up 12 points on Eagles errors. Additionally, the Mountaineers got contributions from across the roster with the bench scoring 33 points – 12 of which came from Coleman.
 
Following the win, Western returns to the court tomorrow versus St. Edward's University at 1pm in their second game of the Holiday Inn-Airport Thanksgiving Classic.