GUNNISON, CO- Colorado Christian opened up RMAC play on the road on Thursday night with a trip to Western Colorado. Despite a furious second half comeback, the Cougars fell short in the end by a final score of 60-57.
Nicole Bowlin got the offense started with a three-pointer, and
Elise Grosdidier connected from deep to keep the offense rolling.
Presley Wheeler continued the barrage from downtown with a three of her own while
Maggie Phipps made it four straight threes for the Cougars to tie things at 12.
Josie Grosdidier got in on the action as she flushed a three to end the quarter with just a 16-15 deficit as CCU scored all their points from beyond the arc in the quarter.
The Mountaineers caught fire in the second period, scoring the first 11 points to develop a lead. A Wheeler three cut the deficit down to single digits, but Western Colorado continued to play good offense and clamp down on defense as they pulled ahead for a 37-21 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a low scoring one as defensive adjustments paid off for both teams.
Elise Grosdidier got a jumper to go while a Phipps layup and consecutive jumpers from
Victoria Perez made it an eight point game with 6:16 to go in the quarter. It was a stalemate for the rest of the quarter as WCU took a 41-29 lead to the final period.
The offense caught fire for the Cougars as they began to mount a comeback in the fourth.
Hayley Luther started things off with a layup, and a three-point play from
Elise Grosdidier cut the lead to nine. Bowlin converted a three-point play of her own as the lead stood at just seven. Phipps nailed a three as the score stood at 46-42 with 3:18 to play. Unfortunately that was as close as things would get until the final buzzer as the hosts hit a big three and sank their free throws down the stretch. Bowlin connected from beyond the arc at the buzzer, but it was not enough as the Cougars barely fell 60-57.
Bowlin paced the offense with 18 points along with 8 rebounds, and Phipps chipped in 14 points.
Elise Grosdidier had a nice night with 8 points and 8 boards.
CCU will continue RMAC play at Colorado Mesa on December 7 with tipoff slated for 1 p.m. MST.
