LAKEWOOD, CO- On a frigid night in Colorado, the Cougars heated things up in the CCU Event Center as they hosted Colorado Mesa on Saturday. Trailing by 10 heading to the fourth quarter, Colorado Christian made a furious comeback and took down the Mavericks on the back of 31 points from Maggie Hutka to secure a massive 65-63 victory. 

The Mavericks came out firing, scoring the first five points of the game very quickly. The Cougars responded as Hutka and Maggie Phioos got baskets to go to make it 8-6 CMU. A Phipps three later tied things at 10 before her layup gave her team the 12-10 advantage. The two teams went to the second quarter with the visitors leading by just two. 

Colorado Mesa quickly jumped out to an eight point lead, but a three-point play from Phipps and a Hutka jumper tightened things back up. Hutka continued to dominate as she could not be handled down low. Matched up against the Mavericks star player Olivia Reed, Hutka got Reed into foul trouble with her aggressive drives and elite scoring ability. Heading into the half, CMU led 34-30 after an exciting first two quarters of play. 

The visitors got going in the third quarter, pulling ahead by 13 at one point after a three. Regan LoConte hit a late jumper to cut the deficit to 10 heading into the final period. 

The momentum and course of the game completely shifted in the fourth as the offense for CCU found incredible rhythm and the defense began to make stops. Quick baskets from Hutka and Nicole Bowlin drew the Cougars within four at 60-56, and LoConte then took over. A seven-point burst on a layup, three-pointer and jumper tied the game at 63 apiece with 1:57 remaining. A stop and jumper from Hutka sent the crowd into a frenzy as the home team took a 65-63 lead. The Mavericks had one last chance to tie or win the game, and after a missed layup and offensive rebound, the attempt from CMU was swatted away with authority by Hutka as the Cougars pulled off an incredible comeback by outscoring the Mavericks 21-9 in the final frame for the 65-63 victory. 

Hutka led her team throughout, pouring in 31 points, six rebounds and the decisive block to seal the win. LoConte and Phipps joined their teammate in double-digit points with 11 and 10 respectively, while Dasiya Jones pulled down an important eight rebounds, with three of those coming on the offensive end. 

The Cougars now ride a wave of momentum into their roadtrip to Adams State on January 19 with tipoff slated for 5:30 p.m. MST.