SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Colorado Mesa women's basketball team secured a home RMAC Tournament game after a 64-51 win over the Western New Mexico Mustangs on Saturday evening at Drag's Court.
 
The Mavericks led for over 36 minutes in game and limited the Mustangs to just 18 first half points on 6-of-28 shooting (21.4 percent) from the floor.
 
On defense, they forced 12 Mustang turnovers that led to 16 points. They also finished the night with five blocks and nine steals. They also limited them to just 25.9 percent (14-of-54) shooting on the night.
 
Colorado Mesa shot 91 percent (12-of-13) from the free-throw line on the night and were 6-of-16 from beyond the three-point arc.
 
The Mavericks outrebounded Western New Mexico 37-35 and were led by Shanna Halalilo's game-high nine rebounds.
 
Laurel Kasel finished the night with a team-high 17 points and grabbed four rebounds.
 
Leanndra Gilbert had 16 points and added two blocks.
 
Mustang Ashley Mitchell tallied a game-high 21 points.
 
The win coupled with a Fort Lewis win over UCCS gives the Mavericks sole possession of first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings with three games to play.
 
The Mavericks will close out their regular season road schedule with a game against the Western State Colorado Mountaineers in Gunnison next Saturday.