Senior guard Kylyn Rigsby was nearly unstoppable as she set new career highs with 34 points and 11 rebounds in a 66-55 win.
Rigsby registered her second double-double in eight days against the Rangers and she played all 40 minutes of the game.
“We have to go into practice how we want to go into games, and I think we’ve been lacking that, and that’s why Friday has been a little dicey. I don’t think we need to lose Friday to respond Saturday, I think we need to put the work in on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Coach always says that’s where games are won and lost,” Rigsby said.
Senior forward Kelsey Siemons was the Maverick’s second-leading scorer with 15 points, and she grabbed six rebounds in the game.
Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) defense prevented the Rangers from controlling the paint as they were able to score 16 points in the paint.
The Mavericks were also able to control the glass against the number two offensive rebounding team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). CMU won the rebounding battle 39 to 37, and they gained the advantage on the offensive glass which proved crucial in the game.
When Regis University (RU) got an offensive rebound, the Mavericks defense swarmed and didn’t allow them to score as RU finished with two second-chance points.
“Our defense is always our focus, the second quarter we held them to nine points, but the defense picked up again. We made them take tough shots and the girls committed to that, and I like it when they are talking to each other about coming up with a big defensive play rather than me trying to wind them up to get it because when they do it, it happens a whole lot better for our team,” Head Coach Taylor Wagner said.
Rigsby got the Mavericks on the board first, but neither team could gain clear control in the opening quarter. RU and CMU were trading shots as there were three lead changes and two ties in the first quarter.
The Rangers took the lead in the game with 6:19 left in the quarter, and they didn’t relinquish that lead, ending the quarter with a 22-16 lead.
CMU’s defense tightened up in the second and third quarters as they allowed the Rangers to score nine points in each quarter.
Siemons was crucial for the Mavericks in the second quarter as she scored 10 of her 15 points. She shot 50 percent from both the floor and from behind the arc in the quarter.
“Hitting shots is nice, but I think my confidence is highest when I’m playing good defense and I’m making sure my girl isn’t scoring on me or I’m there to help my teammates. That’s where I get my confidence from and from that, it makes it easier to go and feel better when you’re shooting,” Siemons said.
The Maverick’s 16 points in the second quarter allowed them to take a one-point lead going into halftime.
CMU opened the third quarter with Rigsby drilling a shot from behind the arc which set the tone for the rest of the quarter.
The Rangers cut the Mavericks lead to one point with 6:55 left in the quarter as Grace O’Neill hit a three of her own. CMU was quick to answer with a three to push their lead back to four points and they continued to extend their lead.
Rigsby scored 14 points in the third quarter to help CMU take a 13-point lead going into the final quarter.
Both teams battled for control of the fourth quarter, but neither was able to get control. The Rangers struggled to get the Mavericks lead under 13-points and the Rangers committed eight fouls in the quarter sending CMU to the line 11 times.
The Mavericks made seven of those free throws which proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Rangers.
CMU’s next game will be Friday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. against Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
