BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- The Western Colorado women's basketball team battled back from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to make it a one possession game numerous times, but fell just short on the road to a tough Western Washington team 69-66 Friday night in its season opener at Carver Gym.
 
The Mountaineers (0-1) began their rally when Samantha Coleman drained a 3-pointer with 8:37 remaining in the fourth to cut it to a 10-point deficit against the Vikings (3-2) at 60-50. Back-to-back baskets by Jessie Erickson and Jadyn Kanzler made it a six-point deficit with 7:10 remaining as WCU eventually cut it to one on a Hannah Cooper bucket with 4:49 remaining to complete a 12-0 run and make it 60-59.
 
The Mountaineers wouldn't trail by more than four the rest of the game, but couldn't get over the hump. WCU had one last chance with a second left, but a desperation turnaround 3-pointer by Erickson was just strong as the Mountaineers fell.
 
Taytem Coleman paced WCU with 15 points to go along with four rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks. Samantha Coleman finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals.
 
The Mountaineers shot 47.2 percent from the field and were 11-for-13 from the free-throw line, but 21 turnovers that turned into 23 Viking points hurt the WCU cause. WWU shot 45.9 percent from the field.
 
The Mountaineers return to action 6:15 p.m. Saturday in Canada against Simon Fraser.