The UCCS Mountain Lions women’s basketball team took two games deep into the fourth quarter, ultimately dropping one, but landing head coach Lynn Plett a share of history: his 300th career win.
The Mountain Lions returned from a 66-64 overtime loss to the Regis Raiders in their previous game for their first home game of two, going up against the Metro State Roadrunners.
UCCS headlined the first period with a strong scoring run with freshman guard Gracie Haneborg pinning a three. A pair of jumpers from redshirt sophomore Sophie Abella capped off a 15-3 scoring run, taking an 18-12 lead into the second quarter.
Abella continued to put the pressure on the Metro State Roadrunners in the first half, hitting another jump shot in transition to keep the Mountain Lions in front by double digits. Haneborg and graduate student forward Jasmine Jeffcoat each went two-for-two from the line, adding another 10-2 scoring run to the Mountain Lions’ lead.
At halftime, UCCS kept a 28-16 advantage over the Roadrunners behind strong guard play and consistent pressure outside the three-point arc. Metro State hadn’t made a single three pointer going into the third period.
Despite their strong play, however, the Mountain Lions began to struggle to contain the Roadrunners, allowing them to cut the lead to as little as three, 33-30. With only five points scored in the quarter, freshman forward Maison White still hit a contested shot and added a free throw.
The final quarter was a rough one for the Mountain Lions, giving the ball away for a turnover seven times in 10 minutes and ultimately dropping their first game back in the Gallogly Events Center, 54-47.
Redshirt sophomore forward Ellie Moore led the Mountain Lions in scoring 12 points, 8 of which came in the second half. UCCS also out-rebounded the Roadrunners 38-30, thanks to freshman forward Agar Farres’ team-high seven boards.
UCCS women’s basketball took on the CCU Cougars at home the following match, where they would take the win 68-65 in a fast-paced matchup that would come down to the very last second.
This was the 51st match up all-time between these two teams with UCCS leading the series 31-20.
The Mountain Lions came out of the gate fast going on an 11-to-2 run led by Haneborg who quickly put up five points. UCCS would continue to control the quarter finishing with a 17-12 lead.
CCU came back in the second quarter and put up 17 points. UCCS began to slow down, shooting 3-for-16 and giving up 10 turnovers in the quarter.
Graduate guard Shelby Megyeri heated up in an attempt to keep the Mountain Lions in the game. Megyeri put up six points in the quarter to bring UCCS within two, with CCU taking a 27-25 lead at the half.
Haneborg came out of the half ready to take the game back and scored 10 of the team’s 24 third quarter points. Freshman guard Alexa Dominguez put up four points of her own to take back the lead 49-46.
The final quarter did not disappoint as the back-and-forth battle between each team continued until the final buzzer. Both teams continued to hit big shots and stayed neck and neck.
The game would ultimately come down to big free throws from Dominguez, Jeffcoat and Megyeri to clinch the game for the Mountain Lions.
Moore led UCCS in scoring with 12 points with eight coming in the second half. Dominguez, Bo Schaffer and Farres all tied for the team high in rebounding, all grabbing eight.
With this win, UCCS not only moves to 6-11 on the season, but also grabs Plett’s 300th career win with the program.
UCCS Women’s Basketball will be back at it on Tuesday, Jan. 25 facing off against New Mexico Highlands in a road game.