LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Cowgirls led by as much as 13 in the second half, but the Mountain Lions forced 20 turnovers to take a 30-12 advantage in points off miscues as New Mexico Highlands (3-6, 2-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) had its three-game home winning streak snapped by UC Colorado Springs, 84-81 Friday night (Dec. 19) in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
With the Cowgirls up 55-51 with 12 minutes left in the game, Highlands scored nine unanswered. Senior
Jenny Johnson hit a pair from the line to push the lead to six. Freshman
Michelle Tapia then grabbed a steal near half court and took it to the basket while being fouled for the old-fashioned three. Johnson hit a three and sophomore
Giulia Simioni – who narrowly missed a double-double with 10 assists and eight points – split from the line as the Cowgirls led 64-51 with 10:36 left.
Up 75-69 with 4:36 left in the game, a 9-1 visitors run gave the Mountain Lions their first lead since 13:10 left in the first half. Britanny Hernandez completed an old-fashioned three-point play and split from the line to put the visitors within two. Johnson split from the line before RMAC leading scorer Abby Kirchoff – who scored 21 points – tied the game with a three. Hernandez hit a jumper to put the Mountain Lions up 78-76 with 2:41 left.
UC Colorado Springs went up 82-78 before Johnson hit a triple to cut the deficit to one with 1:43 left in the game. After Highlands forced a stop, both teams traded turnovers as Highlands had a chance to take the lead with 36 ticks left. Senior
Anngelina Sanchez, who led the Cowgirls with 24 points – missed a jumper. Tapia, who had 12 points and six boards, grabbed the offensive board but missed a layup. Hernandez grabbed the rebound for UC Colorado Springs and made both free throws to push the deficit to three. Johnson and junior
Miranda Martinez both had looks to tie the game, but both shots came up short as the Mountain Lions claimed the three-point win.
Johnson turned in a solid game with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists on no turnovers. Hernandez led the visitors with 29 points, including a 7-for-9 mark from three. The Cowgirls claimed a 37-30 edge on the board despite a much taller Mountain Lions' squad, handing UC Colorado Springs in largest rebounding deficit of the season as far.
The Cowgirls trailed 11-8 early before scoring six unanswered to take their first lead of the game. Tapia made a layup and Sanchez made a jumper to give Highlands the advantage. Sanchez had more points (19) than minutes (18) in the first half.
Another Sanchez jumper capped the run.
The Mountain Lions looked like they may take control of the game when they cut the Cowgirls' lead to 34-31 in the first half, but junior
Brittany Brown hit a jumper and three pointer as the home team led by eight at half.
The Cowgirls return to action tomorrow (Dec. 20) against CSU Pueblo at 5 p.m.
