PUEBLO, Colo. Western Colorado was in the game for all four quarters. Yet, Colorado State University Pueblo made a few more plays at the end of the game leading to the Thunderwolves defeating the Mountaineers 61-56.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: CSU Pueblo def., Western Colorado 61-56.
Records: Western Colorado 4-11, 3-7 RMAC, CSU Pueblo 9-8, 6-5 RMAC
Location: Massari Arena; Pueblo, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams came out trying to get a feel for one another - leading to it being anyone's game early on as neither team was able to take control of the game. The Mountaineers had the biggest lead in the quarter, four-points – after a Kylie Krise made three free throws and Brooklyn Seymour made one free throw. But, when the first quarter ended Western only had a 15-14 lead, thanks to Emmery Wagstaff who hit a three-pointer with 1:11 left in the quarter.
• Things stayed the same in the second quarter - both teams not being able to take any control of the game. However, roles reversed for the Thunderwolves and Mountaineers as CSU Pueblo had the biggest lead in the quarter, four-points, and when the quarter ended, CSU Pueblo had a 30-29 lead.
• Coming out of halftime, Western took the lead on two free throws by Rachel Cockman and then increased their lead to three-points a few seconds later on a Hayley Valencia layup. The Thunderwolves tied the game on their next possession. The score didn't stay tied for long, the Mountaineers retaking a three-point lead - after Wagstaff hit a three-pointer to give Western a one-point lead, and Cockman increased the lead to three-points on a layup.
• With 1:49 left in the third quarter, CSU Pueblo took a three-point lead of their own, knocking down a three-pointer to give them a 43-40 lead. In the final minute of the quarter, Cockman made back-to-back layups which resulted in the Mountaineers going into the fourth quarter up 44-43.
• Western held a three-point lead four times during the fourth quarter. Yet, every time they took a lead the Thunderwolves would battle back an either cut the lead to one or tie the game - which happened with 1:59 left to go, when CSU Pueblo tied the game at 55-points apiece on a three-pointer.
• A minute and 34-seconds later, the Thunderwolves took a 57-55 lead on a floater. Krise then managed to draw a foul with 11-seconds remaining. But, only made one of the free throws trimming CSU Pueblo's lead to 57-56.
• The Mountaineers were forced to foul to try an keep themselves in the game. However, the Thunderwolves made both of their free throws and manage to steal the ball on Western's next inbound to end the game.

COURT NOTES

• Cockman led the way in scoring with 20-points and Wagstaff was right behind her with 18-points of her own. Alyza Aikins was the leading rebounder for Western, snatching eight rebounds. Valencia and Cockman also grabbed seven rebounds each. Seymour and Wagstaff led the team in causing turnovers, each recording three steals each.
• As a whole, the Mountaineers shot 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field, 20 percent (3-of-15) from three and 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from the free throw line.
• CSU-Pueblo had three players in double figures, being led by Charisse Fairley and Tomia Johnson who each had 14-points. 
• As a whole, the Thunderwolves shot 38 percent (19-of-50) from the field, 37 percent (10-of-27) from three and 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
 Western will be back in Paul Wright Gym for their next two RMAC contest against, Metropolitan State University of Denver (Jan. 20) and Colorado School of Mines (Jan. 21).