Photo credit, Natalie Grass
Game Recap Women's Basketball, 1.21.23, Izzy Jones

Cougars Show Out for Dramatic Win Over Mountain Lions

The Cougars took on the UCCS Mountain Lions at home tonight, with an electric crowd and a thrilling game. With UCCS coming off a tight win against Chadron State last night, both teams were hungry for an action-packed game.

And so it was. The match-up started off close, with both teams putting up over 20 shots each. Dasiya Jones started off the Cougars with 6 points in the first quarter along with 2 rebounds. Maggie Hutka and Agnes Paul also contributed 2 rebounds each in the first quarter. However, UCCS held the lead by a few points for most of the quarter.

The game turned into a real nail-biter by halftime as the Cougars held the Mountain Lions to a 40% shooting percentage as CCU rose to a 53.3% shooting percentage. With a strong CCU offense, Jones continued to execute, and the Cougars crept back into the lead with three key three pointers from Jones, Maggie Phipps, and Regan Loconte. Paul picked up a couple of more rebounds, and the 2nd quarter wrapped up, Cougars 29, Mountain Lions 30.

The third quarter score stayed close, but a strong UCCS defense was not giving up easily. With the Cougars down by 5, but not discouraged, play continued into the last quarter.

The fourth quarter was an exciting one, as Phipps drained a three-pointer early and Jones continued to dominate from the field. Maggie Hutka was sharp on defensive as well as offensive rebounds. With a minute left, Phipps bagged another three, and the score was tied 50-50. The Cougars called a timeout, and returned to the game with possession. As the clock wound down, Hutka put up a three and executed as the Cougars took the lead. UCCS called a timeout to talk it over, and with 24 seconds left in the game, Loconte and Nicole Bowlin drained free throws to take the lead and the win.

The final score was 56-52, with Jones and Phipps leading the Cougars in points. Jones also ended up with 5 rebounds, and Hutka led in rebounds with 6. Loconte, Bowlin, and Hutka also had solid nights.

With this gritty win, the Cougars look forward to their next opponent. They will hit the road next Thursday, the 26th and Tuesday, the 31st with away games at Black Hills State and Chadron State.

Colorado Christian University is a private Christian college based in Lakewood Colorado. The CCU Cougars compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference as an NCAA Division 2 program. CCU has 13 varsity teams.