PUEBLO, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa University women's basketball team led early but stumbled late in the second half to drop a 73-61 decision at No. 9 CSU-Pueblo Friday (Dec. 16).

The Maverick defense started the game on fire holding the Thunderwolves to just 23-percent (3-13) from the field in the first. CMU wasn't much better shooting 35-percent (6-17) to lead 17-13 after the first 10 minutes.

The second quarter was the best one of the night offensively for Mesa who shot 53-percent (8-15) and out-scored Pueblo 22-19.

The third quarter was a disastrous one for the Mavs. Molly Rohrer scored 12 of her game-high 27 points in the third quarter for Pueblo who shot 43-percent (7-16) from the field.
Rohrer blocked four CMU shots and Mesa turned the ball over six times.

The Pueblo offense got even hotter in the fourth quarter shooting a game-high 61-percent (8-13) from the floor and was a perfect 8-8 from the line. Mesa shot 21-percent (3-14) from the field, its lowest percentage of the game.

The Pack dominated play in the paint out-scoring the Mavs 34-12. Free throws were also heavily in Pueblo's hand with CSUP shooting 20-23 (87-percent) and CMU was 8-11 (72-percent).

Bryanna Adams scored a game-high 23 points for CMU with five 3-pointers and made all four free throw attempts.

CMU led 40-35 in rebounds and shot 11-31 (35-percent) from behind the arc compared to 5-16 (31-percent) for CSUP.

The Mavericks turned the ball over a season-high 19 times.

Colorado Mesa (7-2, 4-1) will play at New Mexico Highlands Saturday (Dec. 17).