Utilizing second-chance points and points off turnovers, the Western New Mexico University women’s basketball team was able to pull away from Western State Colorado University for the 62-55 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday night. WNMU did well in the hustle stats holding a 20-9 points off turnover and 12-7 second-chance point advantages.
WNMU (4-4, 2-1 RMAC) led throughout most of the game and each time WSCU (3-2, 1-2 RMAC) came close, the Lady Mustangs were able to pull away.
Holding a slim 4-3 lead, the Lady Mustangs began to pull away a little bit with Jordan Gutierrez starting the run with a layup. Jada Grady then took over with back-to-back three-pointers to move the lead to seven at 12-5 with four minutes to play in the opening quarter. It was the beginning of a big night for Grady as she led all-scorers with 21 points, making five three-pointers.
Desiree Smith extended the lead to the largest of the night for WNMU with a layup off the fastbreak near the end of the quarter for the 18-7 advantage.
The Lady Mustangs had the lead back to 11 a pair of times in the second quarter, with the last coming at the 2:37 mark on a three-pointer by My’Kale French. French provided a big spark off the bench with 12 points, along with five rebounds. From that point on, the Mountaineers closed the half strong going on a 7-0 run leaving WNMU ahead 34-30 at the break.
WSCU worked their way back to within one a pair of times, but that would be as close as they could get in the third quarter. After pulling back to within one at 38-37 at the 4:14 mark, WNMU answered with a quick 6-0 run with Grady hitting a pair of three-pointers. The Lady Mustangs ended up moving the lead back to eight, 48-40, after the third quarter. Although WNMU kept the lead down the stretch, the Mountaineers had another run still left in them. WSCU began the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run to trim the lead to two at 48-46.
Just like the last run, Grady came through. On an offensive rebound by French, she found Grady who drilled the three to push the lead back to five. Smith and Deandra Williams helped move the lead back to seven at 55-48 with 5:43 to play. From that point on, WNMU wouldn’t really be threatened again as WSCU cut it back to four with a minute to play. The Mountaineers then had to play the free throw game with time running out and Gutierrez was able to hit the shots down the stretch to seal the victory.
Outside of Grady and French scoring in double-figures, Gutierrez added nine. Smith had a strong all-around game against her former team with six points, five steals and five rebounds.
WSCU shot a little better than WNMU making 22-55 (40) to 23-63 (36.5) for the Lady Mustangs. WNMU held a 7-5 edge on three-pointers and 9-6 at the free throw line.
The Mountaineers had three players score in double-figures led by Taylor Long’s 14. Sydnie Lengyel and Sadie Stroup added 12 points apiece.
WNMU will hit the road this coming week as they will play at South Dakota Mines on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before finishing the trip on Saturdayagainst Black Hills State starting at 4 p.m.