GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado battled all night with Westminster College. Yet in the end it was the Griffins who were able to come out on top, as the Mountaineers fell 64-71.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Westminster def., Western Colorado 71-64.
Records: Western Colorado 6-21, 5-17 RMAC, Westminster 17-11, 15-7 RMAC
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first quarter the Mountaineers took an early 4-0 lead, thanks to Rachel Cockman who was on her game from the tip, scoring all four-points on a layup and two made free throws. Westminster closed the gap multiple times to two-points.
• But, Western was able to extend their lead back to four-points before the quarter ended on Cockman layup which increased the score to six-points – the Griffins making a basket with 28 seconds to cut the Mountaineers lead to 12-8.
• Western's offense continued rolling on all cylinders to start the second quarter, going on an 8-2 run – that was led by Mia Lozoya who scored five of the eight-points during that run.
• Westminster tried to get back in the game, getting as close as six-points (18-24) with 2:57 left before halftime. However, Cockman took charge and scored the final five-points for the Mountaineers leading to Western being up 29-20 at halftime.
• The Mountaineers remained in control early on in the third quarter, outscoring the Griffins 7-4 – Emmery Wagstaff scoring four-points and Cockman scoring three-points – which extended the lead to 36-24.
• With 6:50 left in the third quarter, Westminster went on a 11-0 run, cutting Western's lead to 36-35.
• Cockman and Alyza Aikins helped stop the run and made sure the Mountaineers had a lead going into the fourth quarter - both Cockman and Aikins making layups before the quarter ended.
• The game got tightly contested in the fourth quarter as there were six lead changes. The Griffins started the fourth quarter on fire, going on an 8-0 run, that led to them taking a 43-40 lead over Western.
• A Wagstaff jumper and Caileen Sienknecht three-pointer, gave the Mountaineers a two-point lead. But, that lead didn't last long as both teams kept exchanging the lead – which led to the score being tied at 53-points apiece at the end of the quarter.
• Westminster took control of the game in overtime, only allowing Western to hold a one-point lead in the first 30 seconds of the period. A Wagstaff three-pointer with 2:48 left, did tie the game at 59-points apiece, giving the Mountaineers a shot a taking a lead.
• Unfortunately, the Griffins lead only grew from there, leading to them escaping with the victory.

COURT NOTES

• Cockman led the way in the scoring department, scoring a career high 29-points. Wagstaff had a double-double on the night scoring 23-points and grabbing a team high 11 rebounds. Cockman led the team in steals with two in the game.
• As a team Western shot, 37.3 percent (22-of-59), 23.8 percent (5-of-21), 83.3 percent (15-of-18).
• For Westminster they were led by Ashley Greenwood who scored 24-points and Margarita Satini who pitched in with 20-points.
• The Griffins shot, 34.8 percent (23-of-66) from the field, 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from three and 85.2 percent (23-of-27) from the free throw.