GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado offense started to heat up in the second half. However, a slow start to the game was too much to overcome as they fell 48-59 to Colorado Mesa University.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mesa def., Western Colorado 59-48
Records: Western Colorado 6-20, 5-16 RMAC, Colorado Mesa 13-15, 12-10 RMAC
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game started out in favor of Colorado Mesa, who went on a 7-2 run to open the game. But, in typical Mountaineer fashion, Western came roaring back right away. The Mountaineers put together an 8-3 run, being led by Emmery Wagstaff who scored six of the eight-points during that run. The Mavericks responded before the first quarter ended, scoring four more points, giving them a 14-10 lead.
• In the second quarter, Western's offense cooled off slightly from the first quarter, while Colorado Mesa offense continued to click. The Mavericks tried to pull away early in the second scoring the first four-points.
• However, Wagstaff drained a three-pointer to cut Colorado Mesa's lead to four-points. That lead grew again, this time to eight-points. Yet once again, the Mountaineers stopped things from getting out of hand thanks to Rachel Cockman who by made a layup - briefly slowing down the Mavericks.
• That trend would continue for the remainder of the second quarter, leading the Mountaineers trailing 18-30 at halftime.
• Coming out of halftime, the Mavericks had their best quarter of the game – scoring 18-points – which led to them having a double-digit lead for the entire quarter as Western trailed 29-48 heading into the fourth quarter.
• While things didn't go the Mountaineers way defensively in the third quarter, they did score 11-points, which at the time was better than what they did in any quarter in the first half.
• Heading into the fourth quarter down 29-48, Western started off on a hot streak going on a 9-2 run, which was led by Wagstaff who scored all nine-points.
• With 4:07 left in the game down 41-53, the Mountaineers tried to make a late comeback run – Cockman making a free throw and Wagstaff draining a three-pointer to cut the lead to 45-53. But, Colorado Mesa did just enough down the stretch to remain in control and made sure Western never got closer than nine-points of tying the game.

COURT NOTES

• Wagstaff led the way for the Mountaineers scoring 26-points and snatching a team high two steals. Cockman was the next highest scorer pitching in with 16-points. Caileen Sienknecht was active on the glass, grabbing a team high seven rebounds.
• As a team, Western shot 30.4 percent (17-of-56) from the field, 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from three and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free throw line.
• For Colorado Mesa, they were led by Laura Gutierrez who had a team high 15-points. Olivia Reed and Monica Brooks were also a factor on the offensive each scoring 11-points. Reed also grabbed a team high 14 rebounds.
• The Mavericks they shot, 38.9 percent (21-of-54) from the field, 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from three and 75 percent (9-of-12) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
Western will be back on the court tomorrow, hosting Westminster College at 5:30 p.m.