ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Colorado Mesa women's basketball opened the season with a win over Dixie State 68-54 on Friday evening in Burns Arena as a part of the Dixie State Tip-Off Tournament.
The Mavericks trailed by two at the end of the first quarter 17-15 but took the lead with 3:06 left at 29-28 and never relinquished it the rest of the game.
Colorado Mesa played solid defense limiting Dixie State to just 31.6 percent (18-for-57) from the field and just 26 percent (8-for-30) from the three-point line.
The Mavericks outrebounded the Trailblazers 53-40 in the game including 21 offensive rebounds that led to 10 second chance points.
The night marked the return of
Erin Reichle, who missed all of last season with an injury. Reichle tied for the game-high with 14 points and completed the double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds.
Senior
Bryanna Adams also had 14 points for Colorado Mesa and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Sydney Small finished with 11 points and
Nicole Archambeau poured in 10 points to round out the Mavericks in double-digits.
Junior
Ma'ata Epenisa made the start in the post and added four points and pulled down nine rebounds.
Head coach
Taylor Wagner has never lost a season opener in his five seasons as the head coach of the Mavericks. Last season, the Mavericks opened with a 75-69 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith.
The Mavericks will take on Simon Fraser tomorrow afternoon at 5pm in Burns Arena.
