LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars opened up the new year in dominant fashion, beating Northern New Mexico College at home, 79-61. The night saw 9 different Cougars on the score sheet as CCU enters the double-header weekend.
 
The visiting Eagles opened up the night with a quick three in the first minute of play. Jordon Heckert would start her night with a responding layup, followed by another layup from Elise Grosdidier. In the quick back and forth that was the first quarter, Hayley Luther would hit her first three of the night, one of the teams most dangerous threats on the perimeter. The Cougars would have a two point advantage, 20-18 going into the second quarter.
 
Ja'Shelle Johnson, Hayley Luther and the Grosdidier twins would continue to build a lead to start the second quarter, building the lead to as much as ten points halfway through the quarter. Northern New Mexico would stay resilient, clawing their way back to a three point deficit before the closing minutes of the half, with CCU leading 35-32.
 
Luther wasted no time to start the second half, draining a three less than a minute into the half, her third of the game. The Eagles immediately responded with a three-pointer of their own, which seemingly lit a fire under the Cougars. Led by anther three from Luther, as well as the likes of Johnson, Amaya Felix, and Heckert, CCU would go on a rampage, leading the Eagles 62-46 going into the final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter would see a stellar closeout for the Cougars, led by performances from Felix and Johnson, with yet another three from Luther. CCU would closeout the game 79-61 for a sound win against Northern New Mexico in their first game of the new year.
 
Luther led the scoring with 15 points, going 5-9 from deep. Johnson and Heckert would follow with 12, as well as Elise Grosdider with 11. Johnson would lead the team in both rebounds and assists, as nine different Cougars found the score sheet. T

he Cougars play their second game of the weekend against Nelson University (AZ) tomorrow, January 3^rd, with tip off set for 1pm.