GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Cowgirls scored the first six points of the game, but the Mavericks answered with an 15-4 run to take control of the game as New Mexico Highlands (3-5, 2-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell to Colorado Mesa (6-2, 3-1 RMAC) 83-55 Saturday night (Dec. 13) in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Sophomore
Giulia Simioni and senior
Claudia Meneses – who led the Cowgirls with 18 points – hit back-to-back triples out of the gate to give the visitors a quick 6-0 lead. After a Mavericks turnover, Meneses missed a three that turned into a jumper by Leandra to put the home team on the board. Erin Reichle knocked in her first of six triples in the game – she scored a game-best 25 points – to cut the Cowgirls advantage to one. Another Reichle three gave Colorado Mesa its first lead of the game.
Freshman
Michelle Tapia tied the game up with a jumper before both teams split from the charity stripe as the game stood tied at nine with 13:43 left in the first half. Laurel Kasel converted an old-fashioned three-point play off a fastbreak. Both teams split again from the line before two freebies by Saane Lo'amanu put the home team up 15-10 at the under-10 media timeout.
A three by Reichle put the home team up 21-12 as the teams virtually traded baskets the rest of the half and Colorado Mesa led 34-25 at intermission.
The Cowgirls cut it to five in the second half on a senior
Anngelina Sanchez jumper, but the home team rattled off 12 unanswered as Colorado Mesa led by double-digits for the rest of the game.
Tapia grabbed seven rebounds while Meneses recorded six boards. Simioni had a solid game with nine points and five assists.
For Colorado Mesa, Kasel added 12 points while Shanna Halalilo scored 11 points and dished out six assists. Erike Musante came off the bench for 10 points.
The Cowgirls return to action next Friday (Dec. 19) when they take on UC-Colorado Springs at 5 p.m.
