GUNNISON, Colo. A slow start to the game by Western Colorado was just too much to overcome, leading to them falling 52-65 to Adams State University.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Adams State def., Western Colorado 65-52.
Records: Western Colorado 6-17, 5-13 RMAC, Adams State 17-7, 13-5 RMAC.
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Once again with out their best player, the Mountaineers got off to a slow start against the Grizzlies – Adams State racing out to a 10-2 lead to start the game. Rachel Cockman put an end to the run making back-to-back layups for Western, cutting the lead to six-points – the Grizzlies making one basket in between Cockman's four-point scoring out.
• With 54 seconds remaining, the Mountaineers down 14-6, Hayley Valencia knocked down two free throws as the Western went into the second quarter down 14-8.
• Things slightly improved for the Mountaineers in the second quarter, scoring two more points than their total in the first quarter. But, the same could be said for Adams State who also had a better quarter scoring five more-points than their first quarter total. Cockman continued to lead the charge in the scoring department, scoring six of the ten-points in the quarter.
• Down 33-18 coming out of halftime, Western did what they have always done this season – once again fighting their way back into the game.
• Cockman got things going early scoring the first four-points of the quarter, which sparked a 7-2 run – Caileen Sienknecht scoring four of those points and Mia Lozoya pitching in with three-points – resulting in the Mountaineers only being down 29-35.
• The Grizzlies increased their lead back to 12-points a few minutes later. But, before the third quarter ended, Cockman made two free throws and Valencia scored a layup to trim the lead back down to single digits.
• Adams State offense woke back up in the second quarter, as their lead would be increased back to 12-points. However, Western continued to fight an would go on a 6-0 run, as the Mountaineers trailed 46-52. Sienknecht played a big part in the run, knocking down a three-pointer, and got help from Cockman who made two free throws and Valencia who sunk one free throw.
• Unfortunately, that was the closest Western got to tying the game for the rest of the quarter.

COURT NOTES

• Cockman had a career high 22-points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and had a team high three blocks. The next highest scorer was Sienknecht who also had a career high 11-points and a career and team high eight rebounds.
• As a team, the Mountaineers shot 36.6 percent (15-of-41) from the field, 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from three and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line.
• The Grizzlies were led by Kiiyani Anitelu who had a team high 19-points.
• Adams State shot, 41.1 percent (23-of-56) from the field, 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from three and 65 percent (13-of-20) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
Western will be back on the road for their next games, taking on University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Feb. 17) and Regis University (Feb. 18).