Lubbock, TX – Colorado Christian opened the new season on the road against #24 UT Tyler on Friday afternoon, narrowly falling 40-50 in Lubbock. After a defensive battle throughout the first half, the Cougars made a late push in the forth quarter, ultimately coming up short in the end.
Both sides started slow offensively, both teams fighting hard to trade baskets throughout the opening quarter.
Hayley Luther would start the scoring on the year for the Cougars, draining a 3 pointer to give the Cougars the 3-2 lead early.
Flora Lukow would add herself to the scoring sheet with a jumper a minute later, giving the Cougars a 5-2 advantage, before several free throws would level the game at 5-5, the final score heading into the second quarter.
The Patriots began to find their footing, going on a 6-0 run to build the 11-5 lead before the Cougars could respond.
Jacy Chandler helped spark the offense, knocking down a pair of baskets to keep CCU within striking distance.
Ezra Simonich would add a late three of her own, UT Tyler entering the break with the 15-12 advantage.
Coming out of halftime, the Patriots would only continue to separate, stretching their lead early to 7. Simonich continued to push for the Cougars, attacking the basket with a pair of points before Lukow connected from beyond the arc. The Grosdidier twins added points at the free throw line, however, UT Tyler continued to respond confidently and consistently, taking the 30-23 lead into the fourth.
Not going down without a fight, the Cougars continued to fight, Simonich opening the fourth with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to just 4. The Patriots responded with a run of their own, pushing the lead to 12 with five minutes to go. CCU continued to chip at the lead, buckets from
Amaya Felix and
Elise Grosdidier giving the Cougars hope, with a Simonich three putting the Cougars within four at 38-34 with three minutes left.
A devastating three from the Patriots would kill any Cougar momentum, as the Patriots would hold on and end the game with the 50-40 victory.
Simonich led the Cougars with 12 points and 9 rebounds, knocking down 3 threes throughout the game. Chandler added 8 points off the bench, while Luther finished with 6 and 2 threes. Elise Grosidider led the team in boards, hauling down eight rebounds. Although a narrow loss, the Cougars walk away with several encouraging points, pushing the 24th ranked team in the country to a tightly contested game.
The Cougars look at the quick turn around to take on Lubbock Christian, with tip-off set for Saturday, November 14
th at 5pm MST.
