Final quarter hurts Cowgirls in loss to Dixie State

ST. GEORGE, Utah --- The New Mexico Highlands women's basketball team for three quarters was right there with Dixie State on the road, but an 8-0 run by the Trailblazers to start the fourth had the Cowgirls playing from behind for much of the rest of the game as they fell 70-59 Friday night at Burns Arena.
 
NMHU (3-8, 1-3) and Dixie State (5-2, 2-2) traded the lead back and forth for much of the first three quarters as the Cowgirls trailed 45-44 going into the fourth. But a pair of 3-pointers and a layup by Dixie State to start the fourth quickly grew the lead to 53-44 with 8:24 remaining in the contest.
 
The Cowgirls didn't go away, however, as a 9-0 run capped by a DeAvion Allen bucket with 3:37 remaining tied the game at 57.
 
The Trailblazers quickly answered as Morgan Myers scored in the paint to take a 59-57 lead just 12 seconds later. NMHU then fouled on a 3-point attempt on Dixie State's next possession and the Trailblazers drained all three and the Cowgirls wouldn't get within a possession the rest of the contest.
 
Jordyn Lewis led four Cowgirls in double figures with 15 points while Allyah George – despite only playing 21 minutes due to foul trouble – finished with 14 points and five rebounds, Allen had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals and Amari Terry had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
NMHU was just 1-for-14 from 3-point range, but made up for it by going 16-for-19 from the free throw line.
 
Keslee Stevenson led Dixie State with 18 points while Lisa VanCampen had 11 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks.
 
The Cowgirls play at Westminster 7:30 p.m. Saturday to round up their trip through Utah.