GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado earned their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win tonight (Dec. 9), thanks to Kylie Krise who made a clutch three-pointer for the Mountaineers with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter, leading to Western defeating Chadron State College 56-54.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado def., Chadron State 56-54.
Records: Western Colorado 2-6, 1-2 RMAC, Chadron State 1-9, 1-2 RMAC.
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams came out ready to go to start the game, resulting in neither team being able to take control of the game. In the first quarter, it was back and forth, the biggest lead being three-points – 9-6 with 3:17 left in the quarter, in favor of Chadron State. The eagles were able to keep the lead for the remainder of the quarter leading to them being up 14-12.  Rachel Cockman paced the Mountaineers in scoring six-points in the quarter.
• Things changed for Western in the second quarter, starting the quarter on an 8-4 run being led by Emmery Wagstaff who scored six of the points, giving the Mountaineers a 20-18 lead. Alyza Aikins scored the other two-points on a layup. Chadron offense stated to get going after that, leading to them taking a 26-25 lead with 2:30 remaining in the quarter. 23 seconds later Cockman knocked down a free throw which tied the game at 26-points apiece.
• Then both teams exchanged basket for the remainder of the quarter – the Eagles making the final shot of the half with 54 seconds remaining before halftime, giving them a 30-28 lead heading into the break.
• Similar to the start of the third quarter, the Mountaineers came out firing on all cylinders, starting the second half on a 11-2 run. Cockman bullied her defender in the paint back-to-back possessions leading to four quick points. Then Hayley Valencia knocked down two-free throws and was followed by Natalie Sumrok who drain a three-pointer and Brooklyn Seymour who converted the fast break layup giving Western a 39-32 lead.
• The Eagles slowly started to chip away at the lead going on a 6-2 run - cutting the Mountaineers lead to 41-38, with 2:03 left. But, the Mountaineers didn't let their lead slip away as Cockman made a layup and Mia Lozoya knocked down a three-pointer, helping Western have a 46-41 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
• Both teams exchanged three-pointers to start the fourth quarter – Wagstaff knocking down the three for the Mountaineers, keeping the lead at five-points. However, a few minutes later Chadron went on a 10-3 run, giving them a 54-52 lead with 2:55 left to play.
• A made free throw by Valencia and unknowingly at the time, game winning basket by Krise who drained a three-pointer – gave Western a 56-54 lead with 1:13 remaining.
• The Eagles had two more opportunities to tie the game. Fortunately for the Mountaineers both shots would be missed.

COURT NOTES

• Wagstaff took over the scoring load for Western, dropping 14-points in the game. Right behind her in scoring was Brooklyn Seymour and Wagstaff who each had 13-points.  Valencia was grabbing board left and right, grabbing a team high 11 rebounds. Cockman also was stellar on the defensive end blocking two shots in the game.
• As a whole, the Mountaineers shot 45.7 percent (21-of-46) from the field, 33.3 percent (4-of12) from three and 71.4 percent (10-of-14) from the free throw line. Western's bench scored eight-points in the game and the Mountaineers were able to capitalize on the Eagles mistakes scoring eight-points off turnovers.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will return home tomorrow (Dec. 10) taking on Colorado Christian University at 5 p.m.