The Mavericks to the front range to begin Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play.
After starting the season out with a 5-0 run, Colorado Mesa University Women’s Basketball started RMAC play Saturday night with a win against Colorado Christian University (CCU) before Metro State University- Denver (MSUD).
Against the Cougars, CMU was able to pull off a 57-46 win. The Mavericks were able to out shoot CCU 15-7 in the first quarter. Graduate student guard Daniella Turner had eight of her 20 points in the first half as she was able to get a majority of her jump shots in. CMU also had six points off of turnovers in the first quarter.
CCU was able to drive the ball more throughout the game as they began to creep up on the Mavericks starting in the second quarter. The Cougars made three of five from behind the free throw line which helped them find the momentum. They also were able to go two for seven behind the arc.
The Cougars big break came in the fourth quarter when they only allowed the Mavericks to eight points while they were able to find the net for 14 points. Jordyn Brown led her team with 12 points against the Mavericks. Agnes Paul, Lourdes Gonzalez and Sophia Karasinski all were able to rack up 11 points each.
For the Mavericks, they were able to score 17 points in the second and third quarters. Turner continued to drive into the paint and get the ball up for her team. Graduate student guard Mariah Martin also was able to drive in points for the Mavericks as she was solid from behind the arc.
Martin was able to drive in 16 total points for the Mavericks including six from three pointers. 26 of the Mavericks points were off of baskets shot from within he paint.
The Mavericks finished their road trip with a trip to Downtown Denver as they took on MSUD.
In a very back and forth game, the Mavericks suffered their first loss of the season. Turner and Martin continued to lead the Mavericks in points but were stopped in the fourth by a strong Roadrunners defense.
The Mavericks were out scored in both the first and fourth quarter as they combined for 16 points in those quarters the Roadrunners were able to get their offense and defense on the same page and score 12 in the first and 16 in the fourth.
Nothing was working for the Mavericks from the three point range as they only went
6 for 26 throughout the whole game. Martin only made one of her eight attempts from the arc as Turner only made three.
The Mavericks were able to stay consistent when they had the chance to go to the free throw line. Graduate student forward Kelsey Siemons and Turner went perfect with two free throws. Martin got the opportunity nine times and went nine for nine.
Turner also led the Mavericks with rebounds (13) as her team could not seem to get in a rhythm on the defensive end of the game. The teams scored ten points on second chances.
On the other side of the ball, Morgan Griego picked up 19 rebounds that was able to help her team gain possession.
The Mavericks will return home to Brownson Arena in Grand Junction, Colo. as they take on Black Hills State University on Dec.10 at 5:30 p.m.
