SALT LAKE CITY, Utah Western Colorado was competitive for the majority of the game, despite only having seven players. However, scoring struggles in the second quarter led to them losing 47-57 to Westminster College.­
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Westminster College def., Western Colorado 57-47.
Records: Western Colorado 4-14, 3-10 RMAC, Westminster College 11-10, 9-6 RMAC.
Location: Behnken Field House; Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a back and forth game early on. But, the Mountaineers managed to hold a three-point lead multiple times in the first quarter. The final three-point lead Western had- after a Mia Lozoya mid-range jumper with 2:36 on the clock - led to them extending their lead to six-points on an Alyza Aikins three-pointer that left her finger tips right before the shot clock expired.
• Up 16-10 to start the second quarter, the Griffins went on a 7-2 run that lasted nearly five minutes, resulting in the Mountaineers having a 18-17 lead with 4:51 left to play at the first media timeout. Westminster's run continued out of the timeout, resulting in them taking a 21-18 lead with 3:45 left before halftime. When the final buzzer sounded Western trailed 18-25 at halftime.
• The Griffins remained in control to start the second half, holding a 29-20 lead with 7:39 left. But, the Mountaineers started to cut into the lead on two made Rachel Cockman free throws and a Emmery Wagstaff layup.
• With 4:03 on the clock, Lozoya helped trim Westminster's lead to four-points (34-29), draining a three-pointer. Western's offense continued to click in the third quarter and with 28 seconds left on the clock, Aikins drained a three-pointer cutting the lead to 34-37. Before the third quarter ended the Griffin's managed to make a jumper, putting their lead at 39-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Wagstaff trimmed that lead to 37-39 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, draining a three-pointer off an assist from Aikins. The Mountaineers continued to battle. However, they never would get closer than five-points – after a Wagstaff layup – of the lead for the remainder of the game.

COURT NOTES

• Wagstaff led Western in scoring, dropping 15-points and grabbing a team high seven rebounds. Cockman was the next highest scorer with 13-points and was followed by Aikins who pitched in with 10-points. Aikins led the team in steals, recording three in the game.
• As a team, the Mountaineers shot, 31.5 percent (17-of-54) from the field, 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from three and 100 percent (8-of-8) from the free throw line.
• For Westminster, they were led by Lyndzi Rich who scored 20-points and Ashley Greenwood who had 12-points.
• The Griffins shot, 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, 33.3 percent (2-of-6) from three, and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
 The Mountaineers will be back on the court Saturday, taking on Colorado Mesa on the road at 5:30 p.m.