DURANGO, Colo. – The Cowgirls had an early lead in the game, but the Skyhawks went on a run and dominated the paint as New Mexico Highlands (4-9, 3-6 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell to Fort Lewis (7-5, 4-4 RMAC) 75-55 Friday night (Jan. 9) in Durango, Colo.
The Cowgirls trailed 6-2 early, but senior
Jenny Johnson quickly helped push the Cowgirls in front. After a three pointer by Johnson, classmate
Anngelina Sanchez hit a jumper to put Highlands in front. Johnson then pulled down a defensive board and hit freshman
Michelle Tapia hustling down the court for the fastbreak hoop and the harm. She completed the old-fashioned three and the Cowgirls led 10-6 5:24 minutes into the game.
It would be the largest lead of the game as Fort Lewis used a 13-3 run to take the lead for good. Kaile Magazzeni hit a layup to start the run. Tapia then split from the line, but a pair of free throws from Mary Britton, Ande Lampert and Magazenni put the home team up for good. Magazenni finished the 8-0 spurt by taking the ball coast-to-coast on a defensive rebound to cap the eight unanswered scored by the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis led 16-11 with 10 minutes gone by in the game.
The Skyhawks took the Cowgirls out of the game with a 36-16 edge in points in the paint and a 21-5 fastbreak points advantage. Sanchez led the Cowgirls with nine points while Tapia had a solid game with nine points and eight boards. Fort Lewis' Magazenni led all scorers with 16 while Brinton narrowly missed the double-double with 14 points and nine boards.
Down 25-16, the Cowgirls scored six straight. Tapia made back-to-back lay-ups on assists from West Las Vegas Don teammate, junior
Miranda Martinez. Martinez hit her own lay-up to cut the deficit to three. The Cowgirls climbed no closer as the Skyhawks ended the half on their own 6-1 run to lead by eight at the break.
Fort Lewis led by as much as 25 in the second half before claiming the 20-point win.
The Cowgirls return to action tomorrow at Adams State at 5:30 p.m.
