PUEBLO, CO. – Opening up the Al Kaly Shrine Classic with a win, the Colorado Christian University Cougars defeated the MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers with a 30-point difference, 87-57.

HOW IT HAPPENED – With a strong and evenly spread offense, the Cougars were a force to be reckoned with. Less than a minute into the game, CCU was up 4-0 and never surrendered their lead. The Pioneers sunk a three with 1:19 left in the first quarter to shorten their deficit to 2-points, but with 13 seconds left Victoria Perez got a steal and made the fast break layup to put the Cougars up by 4 at the end of the quarter, 19-15.

Colorado Christian was the first on the board in the second quarter just 14 seconds in, after Nicole Bowlin assisted India Cole for a three-pointer. Cole went on to score the next four points for CCU in the paint, after converting an offensive rebound then landing another layup from Maggie Hutka. Halfway through the second quarter, the Cougars found themselves up by 17-points after Regan Loconte was assisted by Agnes Paul for three. The second quarter was the strongest for CCU offensively, finishing with 25-points to put them ahead by 14 going into halftime.

Outscoring MidAmerica Nazarene by 10, the third quarter gave Colorado Christian an edge that made them difficult to overcome. With an offensive board and put back, Agnes Paul put CCU ahead by 24 at the end of the quarter.

Dasiya Jones put CCU on the board first yet again in the fourth, when she scored after just seven seconds. With 6:37 remaining in the game, India Cole scored in the paint to see the 30-point lead for the first time. The Pioneers fought back and were not giving up yet, and went on a 6-0 run before CCU scored again. However the Cougars rallied back and stayed strong, winning the game 87-57.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE – Overall the Cougars had an impressively spread offense, with 46 of their points coming off the bench. The team played aggressively throughout the entire game on both ends, with a solid defense helping them to victory. Leading CCU in both points and rebounds was Agnes Paul, who finished with 12-points and 8 boards. Also in the double-digits were Dasiya Jones and Victoria Perez with 10 a-piece. Another notable showing came from both Makenna Bodette and India Cole tied with 9-points, followed by Regan Loconte and Tessa Hauser with 8 each.

UP NEXT – The Cougars will play another 1pm tip-off tomorrow, November 19^th, against the Nanooks of University of Alaska Fairbanks. The game against the 'Nooks will be their final contest before their home opener on Tuesday, November 22^nd.