The NMHU Cowgirls won a RMAC home game tonight in the final seconds against Mesa State 57-56. The Mavericks led for much of the contest which included holding a 15 point lead halfway through the second period, but the Cowgirls clawed their way back and snatched victory with
Whitley Coca's last second three pointer that banked in off the glass to give the Cowgirls the win. With their win over Mesa State the Cowgirls, lead by Head Coach Tiffany Darling, improve to a 7-11 record in the RMAC and 12-14 overall.
The Cowgirls were led tonight by PG
Whitley Coca who scored 15 points including that last second three point shot to win. Coca would add five rebounds, five steals and three assists in her 37 minutes on the court.
China Smith continued to play well tonight scoring 13 points and just missed another double-double by grabbing nine rebounds. Smith would play 27 minutes in the game.
Domonique Rivera also ended the night in double digits scoring 11 points. Rivera added two steals and one rebound in 39 minutes of play.
The Mavericks took the lead from the start of the game as the Cowgirls had a rough time shooting from the field. Coca hit a three point shot with 11:08 remaining in the first half to give the Cowgirls their only lead of the half by one point. NMHU's shooting woes continued as Mesa State began to extend their lead by as much as 10 points in the first half. The Mavericks would enter the break up by eight 31-23.
After the half Mesa State continued to dominate the game and they would see the lead jump to 15 points four minutes into the second half. The Mavericks would maintain this lead for much of the second half, but the Cowgirls refused to give up as they began to work at the deficit on two good free throw shots by
Domonique Rivera with seven minutes left in the game. Rivera and the Cowgirls eventually tied the game up with 0:38 remaining by playing some solid defense and making quality shots from the free throw line. The Mavericks answered to regain the lead by two points with 27 seconds left.
Whitley Coca missed three point shot and all looked lost as the Cowgirls gave up a foul to the Mavericks to save time. Mesa State's Katrina Selsor would miss her first shot of a one and one attempt and the Cowgirls
China Smith grabbed the rebound to set up
Whitley Coca's last second winning three point shot that electrified the home crowd.
The NMHU women's basketball team will be in action again 2/12 in a RMAC home game against Western State College of Colorado. The Mountaineers come in to John A. Wilson complex eighth in the conference at 8-10 in RMAC play and 10-12 overall. Tip off for the games is set at 6pm. If you can't make it to the game to watch your Cowgirls in action, you can watch them LIVE on the America One Network. Click
HERE for more information on how you can watch your Cowgirls LIVE on the America One Network.
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GO COWGIRLS!!!
