LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars continued their home-stand on Friday night as they faced off against the Colorado School of Mines inside the CCU Event Center. Led by a highly efficient second half, CCU came back and took down the Orediggers by a final score of 71-68. 

The game started out as a defensive struggle as neither team scored for the first two minutes of action. Dasiya Jones made the first basket for her team as the rhythm began to develop. A Victoria Perez layup continued the scoring, and she continued what would turn out to be a stellar night with a three moments later. A late three-pointer from Mines sent them to the second quarter leading 21-15.

The Orediggers started the second quarter strong, racing to a nine-point lead in a flash. A three-point play from Maggie Hutka changed the momentum in favor of the home team, and a three from Nicole Bowlin and layup from Agnes Paul cut the deficit to just four. Hutka got a late layup to go as Mines led narrowly at the break 37-34. 

Bowlin continued her hot shooting with another three, and then the offense caught some serious fire. Perez connected from beyond the arc, and Hutka converted a three-point play to send her team ahead. From there, a back and forth battle ensued, as each team traded baskets feverishly to take the lead by one. Nearing two minutes to play in the quarter, the Cougars gave themselves some cushion as they converted three straight layups to take a 61-54 lead into the final quarter. 

The fourth began with a Perez jumper as the lead grew to nine. The Orediggers fought back to within five, as the Cougars battled to keep a comfortable lead. With 1:59 to go, a made free throw from Mines cut the lead to 71-68. The game grinded to a halt offensively as neither team could get a basket in the final two minutes of play. A late three from the visitors did not go through the netting, and CCU came away with a gritty 71-68 victory over a Mines team that spent a large portion of the year nationally ranked in the top 25. 

Hutka led the charge with 23 points. While Perez poured in 20 with 4-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Bowlin was efficient with 10 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. 

Colorado Christian host senior night on February 24 as they take on MSU Denver at 5 p.m. MST.