GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's basketball battled Colorado School of Mines in Paul Wright Gym. Despite a late push in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers fell 55-64 to the Orediggers.
 
Western (6-11, 3-8 RMAC) had two scorers in double-figures on the night. Leading the Mountaineers were Haley Vinson and Tammarrah Gothard who combined for 30 points off the bench.
 
However, strong bench play was not enough to overcome Colorado School of Mines (10-6, 7-3 RMAC) as turnovers limited Western.
 
Vinson was highly-effective for the Mountaineers, scoring 16 points in a mere 11 minutes of action. Her 16 points come on 75% shooting from the floor, but Vinson was downright damaging behind the arc going 4-5 from three-point on the night.
 
Despite also coming off the bench, Tammarrah Gothard saw 28 minutes of action. In the process, she tallied 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists for Western.
 
After a slow start, Western gained momentum in the late stages of the game. However, the first half left the Mountaineers chasing all night.
 
With 4:24 left in the third quarter, the Mountaineers were down 17 points. Just before the end of the quarter, Vinson canned a three to cut the lead to 11.
 
In the fourth, Vinson picked up where she left off opening play with another 3-pointer. In the span of 11 seconds, Vinson had six points. Down 43-35 Western began to gain new life. Gothard and Samantha Coleman turned up the heat over the next five minutes. In the stretch, Gothard and Coleman combined for 10 points – including a four-point play for Coleman on a hard foul with 7:29 remaining.
 
With 6:36 remaining in regulation, Western cut Mine's lead to seven points.
 
Despite a barrage of 3-point baskets from Vinson in the final minute of action, the Mountaineers would get no closer than seven before succumbing 55-64.
 
With 11 games remaining in the regular season, Western returns to the road next weekend versus UCCS and Metro State.