Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Cowgirls fell behind as much as 18 in the contest and cut the deficit to one in the second half, but the Rangers went 10-11 from the charity stripe over the final three minutes as New Mexico Highlands University (5-6, 2-6 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell to Regis (6-5, 4-3 RMAC) Saturday night (Jan. 4) at the John A. Wilson Complex.
The Cowgirls trailed by as much as 18 in the second half and was behind 52-36 when their pressure and hot shooting brought the game within four. Senior
Alyssa Lopez recorded a lay-up before a steal and a three-pointer by junior
Jenny Johnson cut the deficit to 11 with 13:13 remaining. Senior
China Smith then got the theft and completed a three-point play the hard way to bring Highlands back within double-digits. Regis' Taelor Purdy added a lay-up, but freshman
Jacinda Woodruff made her first three-pointer of the year to cut the deficit to seven. Johnson split from the line and a junior
Claudia Meneses lay-up after a Smith steal capped the Cowgirls spurt that lasted less than three minutes.
Trailing 68-63 with 4:24 left, Smith went to work for the Cowgirls to cut the deficit to one. Smith cleaned up a Lopez miss and made the put back to bring the Cowgirls within three. She then cleaned up the defensive glass and made a pair of free throws to bring Highlands within 68-67 with 2:58 left. The Cowgirls could never tie the game and the Rangers made 10-11 from the charity stripe over the final three minutes as the visitors claimed the seven-point win.
Johnson completed her strong weekend with 22 points. Lopez added 20 points while Smith notched the double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Taelor Purdy paced Regis with her own double-double of 36 points – including a 17-20 mark from the charity stripe – and 15 boards.
Regis went on a 20-1 run over the final 6:17 of the first half to turn a two-point deficit into a 17-point lead at intermission. Sarah Seedfelt tied the game on a jumper and a pair from the line by Baylee Purdy gave the Rangers the lead for good. Regis scored 18-straight during the run before senior
Patrina Goree split from the line. A lay-up by Regis' Jessica Ramos capped the scoring in the first half.
The Cowgirls continues their four-game home stand next Friday (Jan. 10) when they host Fort Lewis. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
