Cougars Battle Hard in Loss to Colorado Mesa
 
LAKEWOOD, CO- Colorado Christian opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play on Saturday, and the Cougars fought to the end in a loss to Colorado Mesa. Trailing big heading into the final frame, Colorado Christian mounted an impressive comeback bid and outscored the Mavericks in the fourth quarter in a narrow 57-46 defeat.

 "I feel like our team always has a fight. I don't always say bet on us, but never bet against us. If we can just find our puzzle pieces and put them together earlier I think we can play with anybody" said head coach Diane Thompson.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED- The Cougars started strong with the first field goal of the game, working it into the paint to Lourdes Gonzalez for a layup. Sophia Karasinski followed with a three-pointer to knot the game at five apiece. Colorado Mesa closed the quarter well to take an eight-point advantage into the second period.
 
Gonzalez fired up the crowd with an impressive three-point play as she drove to the hoop and was fouled as she banked it in. Gonzalez was a key piece of the Colorado Christian plan all day long as she snagged rebound after rebound to lead her team.
 
"I just want to get better, give the best for my team. It's my last year so really trying to give it my all and just get some wins" said Gonzalez.
 
Jordyn Brown nailed a three near the end of the second quarter to bring the deficit within eight, but once again the Mavericks closed well to take a 12-point lead into the break.
 
The third frame was commanded by Colorado Mesa as they built a lead of 21 late, but back-to-back baskets from Agnes Paul brought the Cougars within 17 headed to the fourth.
 
The fourth quarter saw a strong start from Colorado Christian as they scored the periods' first seven points. Paul, Brown and Karasinski came out firing as the Cougars pulled to within 10 points midway through the quarter. The push made the game close and a battle to the end, but ultimately the Mavericks came out on top 57-46.
"I think we need to just focus on knocking some shots down, shooting with confidence, setting some good screens and playing as a team. I think if we keep focusing on that good things will happen" Thompson said.
 
COUGARS LEADERS
Brown led the Cougars with 12 points and Gonzalez snagged 10 rebounds to lead Colorado Christian. Brown and Gonzalez finished with two assists apiece.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Colorado Christian finished with six steals to the Mavericks two
• The Cougars snagged 31 rebounds
• Lourdes Gonzalez notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds

 
UP NEXT- Colorado Christian will play next against Westminster College December 5 at 1 p.m. at the CCU Event Center.