GUNNISON, Colo. – Coming off a big win Friday night against Colorado School of Mines, Western Colorado University was unable to fend-off a scrappy University of Colorado at Colorado Springs team on Saturday. The Mountaineers held a lead for three quarters but ultimately fell to the Mountain Lions 65-59.
 
Heading into the fourth quarter, Western (3-2, 1-2 RMAC) held a one-point lead, 45-44. With 1:16 remaining, both teams were tied at 59 points.
 
Neither team was able to convert a field goal and the game came down to free throws. The Mountain Lions were able to convert, making 6-of-8 free throws in the final 30 seconds to take a 65-59 win.
 
The Mountaineer defense started right where they left off on Friday night, holding the Mountain Lions to just 18.8 percent (3-of-16) shooting from the field in the first quarter.
 
Western held UCCS to just 19.4 percent (6-of-31) shooting in the first half.
 
Despite the Mountaineers attempting just 17 field goals, Western took a 25-23 lead into halftime. Western made seven of those 17 opportunities to shoot 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from the field in the first half.
 
Western continued to fight in the second half and kept the Mountain Lions at bay leading by one point, 45-44 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Mountaineers had 30 defensive rebounds, but UCCS was able to convert 17 offensive rebounds into 15 second chance points.
 
Western looked to feed their future all-conference forwards, Katie Dalton and Jadyn Kanzler, in the post all-game long. Dalton scored a game-high 19 points, while Kanzler notched 10 points in 13 minutes.
 
Chelsea Pearson led UCCS in scoring with 16 points coming off the bench.
 
Western will continue the season on Dec. 15 at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.