DENVER, Colo. - Freshmen Natalie Bartle led the team with a career high 25 points to give the Mavs their 20th victory of the season. With this 71-55 win over Regis University on Saturday night in the Regis Fieldhouse the Mavs improve to 20-3 overall and 17-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
For just the second time this season the Mavericks shot above 50 percent from the field. They went 23-of-45 for a 51.1 shooting percentage. From the three-point line the Mavericks shot 29.4 percent (5-of-17). The Mavericks recorded their best shooting performance of the season from the free-throw line as they shot 87.0 percent (20-of-23). Bartle connected on each of her free-throw attempts shooting a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe.
As for the Rangers they shot 35.4 percent (17-of-48) from the field and just 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from the three-point line. The Mavs outshot the Rangers in every category as the Ranger's shot 67.9 percent (19-of-28) from the line.
As Bartle served as a reserve for the Mavericks the Ranger's bench was outscored 30-15 throughout the game.
Karina Brandon recorded her third double figure rebounding effort as she recorded 10 rebounds and six points. Kylyn Rigsby was the Mavs second best scorer going 3-of-5 from the three-point line and recording 13 total points.
Rigsby got the Maverick's offensive rolling by scoring the first basket of the game as the Mavs got out to a 4-0 lead. The Rangers quickly adapted and tied the game 5-5 half way through the first quarter. The Mavs closed the quarter on a 10-2 run and lead 15-7 after the first ten minutes. Bartle recorded five straight points in that Maverick run.
The Mavs extended their lead to 16 points with 7:06 remaining in the second quarter after Kylyn Rigsby hit back-to-back three-pointers which was followed by Bartle's made shot to give the Mavs a 27-11 lead. The Rangers got within eight points just before half which would be the closest they got to the Mavericks lead the entire game. Tori Catlett hit a last second jumper to give the Mavs a 36-26 lead entering the locker room.
The Mavericks started the third quarter with a 8-2 run and led 44-28 at the five minute mark. The Ranger's answered that run with a 11-4 run of their own to close out the third quarter, but the Mavericks held onto to a 48-39 lead to begin the final stretch.
The Mavericks finished the game with their best quarter as they outscored the Rangers 23-16 in the final ten minutes. Bartle drained a pair of free-throws in the final minute to give the Mavericks their 20th win of the season as they led 71-55 at the final buzzer.
Next up
The Mavericks will face Fort Lewis College and Adams State University on Feb 22 and 23, respectively. Both game will begin at 5:30 pm in Brownson Arena.
