Lakewood, CO – The Cougars hosted the visiting Cowgirls from New Mexico Highlands Thursday night, losing a tough battle in overtime. With the night requiring extra basketball, the Cowgirls would ultimately pull away in the end, winning 62-71.

New Mexico Highlands started the game firing on all cylinders, scoring a quick seven points in just over a minute. The early Cowgirl momentum would be snuffed out by none other than Jordon Heckert, scoring a quick unanswered five, with Maley Wilhelm tying the game at seven a piece. A pair of threes from each side and a battle in the paint would leave the Cougars trailing by two, 16-18 leaving the first.

Highlands and a fast paced offense would continue to pour on the pressure, scoring two quick buckets to push the Cowgirls lead. Heckert would yet again respond with a layup and converted free throw, coupled with an Angelina Kohlwaies three to bring the game to 22 a piece. Both sides would continue to go back and forth, with Heckert continuing to be the main scoring presence for the Cougars, while Josie Grosdidier would be excellent in the paint on both sides of the ball. Grosdidier would score the last six points for the Cougars before the break, both teams entering the half even at 31 a piece.

The second half opened in the same fashion as the first — fast and physical. Highlands struck first, but Wilhelm finished through contact to answer, and after a Cowgirl three, Heckert calmly buried one of her own. The pace tightened midway through the quarter as both defenses settled in, with Grosdidier anchoring the paint and cleaning up on the glass. A strong take from Heckert gave the Cougars their first lead since early on, but Highlands responded with second-chance points to reclaim the edge. The two sides continued to trade blows down the stretch, Highlands bearing the small advantage going into the fourth, winning 46-51.

The final quarter would prove a show for the home crowd, both teams energy intensified looking for the winner. Elise Grosdidier would continue to dominate the lane, drawing a foul and draining both free throws to take the lead for the first time in the fourth. Highalnds would immediately respond with free throws of their own, before Jordon Heckert would seal overtime. After draining a short jumper, Heckert would be fouled on a fast break, converting 2/2 and hitting a three to give the Cougars the lead by 1. Highlands would be fouled on the other end, a chance to put the game to bed at the line. The Cowgirls would  only convert one bucket, sending the game to overtime.

Despite the fight displayed from the young Cougar team, strong Cowgirl momentum would prove too much. Highlands would score 5 unanswered points, Heckert the only Cougar able to dish out a point in overtime, scoring a single free throw after a foul on a fast break. The Cowgirls would score another 5 points, walking away defeating the Cougars 62-71.

Jordon Heckert would lead the team yet again with a season high and career performance with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. Samantha Wattawa would be the closest Cougar with 8 points, a block and an astounding 12 rebounds. The Cougars would go 28% from the field and 16% from beyond the arc.
The Cougars final game is set for Saturday, February 28^th at 1pm MST in the CCU Event Center. CCU will take on the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis, currently sitting 7^th in the RMAC standings as the Cougars look to finish the season on a high note.