by Matt Kennedy
The CMU women’s basketball team opened up conference play against Western State this past Tuesday and Westminster on Saturday. The Mavericks took care of business against the Mountaineers as they won 71-42.
The Mavericks immediately got out to a hot start when they took the lead at 16-13, and from that point forward they would not look back.
Colorado Mesa shot 52.8 percent from the field against the Mountaineers and dominated in the paint as they scored 31 in the paint compared to Western’s 12.
Sydney Small lead the team with 14 points, she shot 4-6 during the game while making all five of her free throws. The Mavericks had two other players finish in double digits in Nicole Archambeau, 13, and Bryanna Adams, 10.
Forward Khadijah Vigil dominated under the basket as she grabbed 6 rebounds while putting up 6 points of her own in the win last Tuesday. Adams also helped her fellow teammate on the board as she grabbed 8 rebounds of her own.
After Colorado Mesa took care of business in Gunnison, they traveled down to Salt Lake City to play against Westminster on Saturday.
In this game the Mavericks did not slow down as they capitalized on their momentum. CMU shot 50.9 percent from the field on Saturday and held Westminster to shooting only 36.2 percent.
Colorado Mesa developed team play in this game because four players finished in double digits on the scoreboard. Ma’ata Epenisa had one of her best games of the season as she scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to go with it.
The Seniors also had a fantastic game lead, by Adams and Vigil, as they combined for 23 points.
After being down 10-5 in the first quarter, the Mavericks turned on the jets and stormed ahead for the rest of the game.
Westminster did put up a good fight, Denise Gonzalez put up 21 points for the Griffins and by the end of the first half the Mavericks were only up 34-29.
However, the second half was a different story for both teams as Westminster struggled significantly against a very talented Colorado Mesa offense, as the Mavericks shot 60 percent in the second part of the contest.
The Griffins did grab 13 offensive rebounds in this game, which has been a consistent struggle for the Mavericks this year. The offense however made up for those lost points and they developed a 19-point lead late in the fourth quarter.
Colorado Mesa improves to 5-1 on the season are undefeated in the RMAC. This week they will open up their home conference play against Fort Lewis on Friday at Brownson Arena.
They will play against Adams State the very next day.
