GUNNISON, Colo.  University of Colorado at Colorado Springs tried to pull off a comeback tonight (Dec. 31) against Western Colorado. However, the Mountaineers stepped up on defense and halted the Mountain Lions comeback attempt, resulting in them walking away with a 57-53 victory.
 
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado def., UCCS 57-53.
Records: Western Colorado 4-7, 3-3 RMAC, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 3-9, 2-4 RMAC.
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mountain Lions took a brief 5-2 lead early in the game, after they knocked down a three-pointer. But, the Mountaineers responded quickly with a 7-0 run – four points coming from Hayley Valencia and three points coming from Rachel Cockman who knocked down a three. Up 9-5, UCCS scored their final points of the quarter with 4:29 left on the clock cutting Western's lead to 9-7. The Mountaineers closed the first quarter with two free throws from Cockman.
• Scoring picked up for both teams in the second quarter. Yet, Western managed to maintain a lead for the entire quarter. The Mountain Lions tried to take the lead several times at the 6:58, 6:17 and 5:30 mark of the quarter, trimming the lead to two-points at each mark. Unfortunately for UCCS the Mountaineers wasn't going to let that happen.
• Following two successful free throws (5:30) – Western up 16-14 - by the Mountain Lions, the Mountaineers offense put the pedal to the metal and went on a 10-0 run. Cockman took the game over during that run scoring seven of the ten-points, Emmery Wagstaff scoring the other three-points.
• UCCS closed the second quarter out on a strong note, going on a 7-2 run that resulted in them trailing 21-28 at halftime.
• Coming out of halftime, Western had a brief 12-point lead, thanks to a layup from Wagstaff and a three-pointer from Cockman. The Mountain Lions battled back after that, trimming the lead to as little as four-points with 3:33 left in the third quarter.
• 19 seconds later, the Mountaineers responded after a Kylie Krise three, and managed to increase the lead to seven-points. The lead growing as large as 10-points with 38 seconds left in the quarter after a Wagstaff layup. Before the quarter ended, UCCS drew a foul and knocked down both free throws, putting Western's lead at 45-37.
• In the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers held an eight-point plus lead for the majority of the quarter and appeared to have things all but wrapped up. However, the Mountain Lions made a late push with 2:23 left to play.
• Down 49-54 – after UCCS made a layup and converted the and-one - the Mountain Lions went on a 4-0 run, cutting the lead to 53-54 with 51 seconds remaining on the clock.
• UCCS had an opportunity to take the lead with 30 seconds to go. But, they missed both free throws, which resulted in them having to foul. Wagstaff went to the line and knocked down a free throw, giving Western a two-point lead.
• The Mountain Lions tried to tie the game on their final possessions. Yet, were unable to knock down the 10-foot shot leading to them fouling Wagstaff once again. Wagstaff put the final nail in the coffin seconds later by knocking down both free throws.

COURT NOTES

• Cockman and Wagstaff shouldered the scoring load for the Mountaineers, each pitching in with 17-points. Additionally, Cockman and Wagstaff also each had five rebounds. On the defensive end Cockman pitched in with two blocks and one steal.
• Leading the team in steals was Valencia, Brooklyn Seymour, and Krise who each had two steals. Seymour was also the teams leading rebounder, grabbing eight rebounds and was followed by Alyza Aikins who had seven boards of her own.
• As a whole, Western shot 36.7 percent (18-of-49) from the field, 25 percent (5-of-20) from three and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line.
• The Mountain Lions were led by Gracie Haneborg who had 17-points and Maison White who had 13-points.
• UCCS shot 28.6 percent (18-of-63) from the field, 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from three and 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will return home for their next two games against Black Hills State (Jan. 6) and South Dakota Mines (Jan. 7). Western will take on the Yellow Jackets at 5:30 p.m., and the Hardrockers at 5 p.m.