COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- The Western Colorado women's basketball team wrapped up a successful RMAC-opening road trip by beating University of Colorado Colorado Springs 65-43 on Saturday night at Gallogly Events Center.
 
The Mountaineers (4-2 overall, 2-0 RMAC) pounced on the Mountain Lions (1-7, 0-2) right away as they outscored UCCS 21-9 in the first quarter (thanks to 14 points in the paint) and 21-8 in the second quarter (thanks to four 3-pointers) to build a 42-17 lead at the half.
 
WCU cruised from there as it shot just 7-for-23 (30.4 percent) in the second half – but the Mountaineers' defense ensured the large halftime lead was never threatened.
 
A night after holding Colorado School of Mines to under 30 percent shooting from the field during an 18-point win, the Mountaineers held UCCS to 28.8 percent shooting in a contest they never trailed. WCU finished the game shooting 40 percent from the field, including 10-for-26 from 3-point range (the second time this season WCU has hit double figures in 3-pointers made). However, the Mountaineers did struggle from the line – going 7-for-14.
 
Samantha Coleman led WCU with 14 points (going 4-for-9 from 3-point range) while Taytem Coleman finished with 11 points and a pair of steals. Gabie Doud had a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks to go along with four points while Jessie Erickson had a team-high five assists to go along with seven rebounds and two steals.
 
The Mountaineers play their home opener 5:30 p.m. Friday when they host Chadron State in the team's Ugly Holiday Sweater Game. The team will also be holding a holiday toy drive called Operation Elf where if a fan brings a stocking stuffer, toy, school supplies or a donation of $5 or more – they will receive a Western women's basketball ugly holiday sweater T-shirt. All toys and donations will be donated to Gunnison Valley children and their families. Look for more details during the week prior to the game.