LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Despite the old adage, what happens in Vegas won't stay in Vegas for the Western State Colorado University women's basketball team. On the road at New Mexico Highlands University, Western posted their most dominant victory of the year downing Highlands 80-46.
The 34 point margin of victory was Western's largest since beating NMHU by 32 to close the 2016-17 season.
On the night, 10 Mountaineer women scored for Western as they shot 45.5% from the floor in recording their second-highest offensive output of the season.
While Western (9-18, 6-15 RMAC) found looks for many at NMHU,
Katie Dalton and
Samantha Coleman had two of their best offensive efforts for the Mountaineers.
Coleman tied her Western career high with a 16 point effort on 5-9 shooting. Playing her role for the Mountaineers, Coleman shot 50% from three-point on the night. In addition to the career high, Coleman pulled in three boards and dished out an assist on the night.
Dalton also made her presence felt for Western, dropping 16 points on a remarkable 7-10 shooting. Dalton's 70% shooting from the floor was her second-highest shooting percentage on the season behind a 22 point, 80% effort against Black Hills State University.
Tammarrah Gothard stuffed the box for the Mountaineers, recording 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals to play her most complete game of the season.
Stifling NMHU throughout the second and third quarters, the Mountaineers held the Cowgirls scoreless for 5 minutes in the third. With a combined defensive and offensive effort Western led by as many as 41 points, following an
Alicia Jimenez three-pointer with 7:36 remaining in the fourth.
Western forced 17 turnovers for 23 points on the night. Additionally, Western poured in 28 points off the bench.
After NMHU scored the first points of the game, Western took the lead with 8:21 remaining in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead.
Western returns to action Saturday night against CSU-Pueblo in their final game of the season.
