CHADRON, Neb. – The No. 14 Colorado Mesa women's basketball team battled to a 79-65 win over the Chadron State Eagles in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams at the Chicoine Center.
 
Erin Reichle scored a career-high 31 points on the night and added five rebounds and four assists to pace the Maverick offense. Reichle was 4-of-8 from behind the three-point line and drained 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.
 
Colorado Mesa was locked in a dogfight in the first half building only a one-point lead at halftime, 35-34. The Mavericks allowed the Eagles to shoot over 54 percent (12-of-22) in the half but Chadron State attempted 16 free-throws and made just eight in the half.
 
The Mavericks were led early by Leanndra Gilbert who scored the first ten points for Colorado Mesa. Gilbert finished the night with a career-high 16 points and added six rebounds.
 
Colorado Mesa stepped up in the second half, limiting Chadron State to just 38 percent (9-of-24) from the field and forcing them into 11 second half turnovers.
 
Siu Lo'amanu also netted a career-high with 16 points in the game.
 
Emma Block led the Eagles with 10 points and a game-high six rebounds.
 
The Mavericks will head north to take on the Black Hills State Yellowjackets tomorrow night in Spearfish, S.D.