COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Cowgirls had early leads on the home team, but a 22-1 run pushed the Mountain Lions into the lead for good as New Mexico Highlands (4-15, 3-12 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell to league-leading UC-Colorado Springs (18-3, 13-2 RMAC) 89-53 Saturday night (Jan. 31) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
After the home team hit a basket to begin the game, senior
Claudia Meneses and sophomore
Giulia Simioni hit baskets to give the Highlands the lead. Meneses and senior
Jenny Johnson hit shots before the home team scored 13 unanswered and went on a 22-1 run to take control of the game. During that stretch, the Cowgirls went nearly 10 minutes with out a field goal.
Junior
Brittany Brown led the team with 13 points while senior
Emma Hart grabbed a game best and career high 11 rebounds. The Cowgirls were out rebounded 52-37 for the game.
With Highlands leading 8-6 with 14:52 left in the game, Gabby Ramirez made a layup. Tori Fisher completed an old-fashioned three to give the home team the lead for good. Abby Kirchoff made a jumper and Shannon Kelly hit a jumper to extend the lead to seven. Kelly added a fastbreak layup off a steal and Kirchoff made a pair from the line during the spurt. Redshirt freshman
Michelle Tapia split from the line, but UCCS scored another nine unanswered en route to a 36-point win.
Kirchoff led the team with 28 points while Fisher chipped in 17.
The Cowgirls return to action next Friday night (Feb. 6) when they host Adams State. Tip is set for 5 p.m.
