After four lead changes, the Mountain Lions failed to come back in the final minutes in the fourth quarter, resulting in a loss against the Colorado Mesa Mavericks, 62-58 at the Gallogly Events Center on Feb. 1.
The Mountain Lion started strong, scoring three 3-pointers in a row to give UCCS an 11-6 lead in the first 4 minutes. However, UCCS lost their footing, as the Mavericks had a 9-0 run at the end of the quarter, putting them ahead, 15-11.
The second quarter saw a nearly impassable Maverick defense and several Mountain Lion errors that resulted in 8 scoreless minutes for UCCS. Redshirt junior guard Amyah Moore Allen sunk a 3-pointer with 7 minutes to go, 19-14. After, there were 5 more minutes until a layup by guard Mya Wilson put more points up for UCCS, 26-15. The first half ended with Colorado Mesa up by 9 points, 28-19.
The Mountain Lions came back strong at the beginning of the third quarter. Junior shooting guard Gia Bradley swished a 3-pointer to tip the momentum back to the Mountain Lions. This push left the Mavericks unable to score for 4 minutes while UCCS clawed back at the lead, 31-28, with half of the period to go.
The Mountain Lion lead was short-lived as the Mavericks took advantage of missed passes and unfinished shots, putting them back on top at the end of the quarter, 41-35.
The Mountain Lions had a strong start to the final quarter after senior forward Maison White made a layup to bring the point deficit down to 1 in CMU’s favor, 41-40. For the rest of the game, the Mavericks wouldn’t let the Mountain Lions get any closer.
Moore Allen carried the Mountain Lion offense in the fourth. She made six 2-point baskets and three free throws which accounted for 68% of the points scored by UCCS that quarter.
With 1:19 left on the clock in the final quarter, Moore Allen dribbled down the court, scoring a layup to put the Mountain Lions close to a comeback, as they trailed behind by only two points, 54-52. Penalty after penalty, the Maverick’s didn’t miss their shots and narrowly took the win against UCCS, 62-58.
Moore Allen scored 28 points for UCCS — the only player on the squad to reach double digit points against Colorado Mesa. This is her second highest point scoring game this season.
After the game, UCCS held a jersey retirement ceremony for former women’s basketball player Abby Kirchoff. Kirchoff played at UCCS from 2011-2015.
The Mountain Lions play next at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology on Feb 6.