LAKEWOOD, CO- Colorado Christian began the New Year by continuing RMAC play against UCCS at home on Tuesday night. Led by a dominant night on the boards, the Cougars earned their first conference victory of the season with a 71-59 win. 

Nicole Bowlin got things going early with a layup, and Victoria Perez and Elise Grosdidier quickly made baskets of their own. The offense continued to spread the ball around as Dasiya Jones made a layup and Hayley Luther got a jumper to fall. Jenna Kendall stepped in and drilled a three-pointer to give her team the 15-7 lead, and a Maggie Phipps three saw CCU trailing just 20-18 after one quarter. 

Perez immediately put her team back in front with a three to open quarter two, and the two teams continued to battle back and forth with many lead changes. Elise converted a layup and free throw late in the quarter as CCU was behind just 34-31 heading to halftime. 

Elise converted an early three-point play, and Jones subsequently made a three-point play of her own to put the Cougars on top 37-35. Perez knocked down a three-pointer as the Cougars took a 56-53 advantage to the final frame. 

Perez continued to light it up, making a jumper and three to extend the lead to six at 63-57. The fourth was a defensive clinic from CCU as they held the Mountain Lions to just 6 points in the entire quarter. Elise grew the lead to the largest it had been all game with a jumper for a 69-57 advantage, and the hosts sealed the 71-59 victory for their first RMAC win of the season. 

Perez paced the Cougars with 18 points, while Jones had a huge game with a 14 point, 16  rebound double-double. Grosdidier tallied 14 points, and Bowlin tallied 10 points. The rebounds played a huge role in the victory as CCU outpaced their opponent 39-18, with an impressive 15 offensive rebounds. 

CCU will look to keep their momentum going as they travel south to CSU Pueblo on January 9 for a 5:30 p.m. MST matchup with the Thunderwolves.