LAKEWOOD, CO – The Cougars opened both RMAC and home play Thursday night with a sound victory over visiting Western Colorado University, 67-57.

Jordon Heckert found herself leading the way for the night with the Cougars' first points, hitting an early jumper in the first minute. Elise Grosdidier followed suit with the first three for the home side just minutes later. Maley Wilhelm would score the final points of the quarter, putting CCU up 12-10 at the end of the first.

The Cougars found their groove in the second quarter, reigning down the pressure on the visiting Mountaineers. The combined efforts of the Grosdidiers, Heckert, and Ja'Shelle Johnson would lead the Cougars to the largest lead of the half, 14 points on top with 40 seconds to go. The half ended with a quick 5 points from Western, leaving the Cougars with a nine-point advantage, 33-24. In the second quarter alone, Heckert put up 11 points, draining 3 threes in a row.

The third quarter was a gritty one from both ends, the Cougars coming hot out of the gate. An offensive flurry from the Grosdidier twins and Hayley Luther positioned CCU with a 15-point lead three short minutes into the half. The Mountaineers, however, weren't going down without a fight. Slowly, but surely, the visitors took the next 7 minutes of the third to flip the script, entering the fourth with a two-point lead, 43-41.

The fourth quarter brought out the best in the Cougars as they showed their home crowd their ability to close out their first conference game. Tied at 51 with five left on the clock, Heckert would hit yet another three, followed by a second three from Josie Grosdidier, the deadly duo continuing their already stellar night. A third from Amaya Felix would give the Cougs the final push to have full control of the game. The last three minutes saw a strong closure from CCU, finishing the game with a 10-point victory over the Mountaineers.

Heckert would lead the team with 18 points, shooting 4-5 from beyond the arc. Johnson and Josie Grosdidier would follow with 11 points each, while Elise Grosdidier had 10 of her own.

The Cougars now sit 1-0 in conference play, 2-5 overall. Their next matchup will be at home against Colorado Mesa University, with tip-off set for 1:00pm MST.