GRAND JUNCTION,  Colo. – The Colorado Mesa  Women's Basketball team defeated Fort Lewis College in a defensive battle Saturday night that led to poor shooting for both teams. The Mavericks remain first in conference with an 11-0 RMAC record and a 15-2 overall record after defeating the Skyhawks 38-35.

The Mavs remain undefeated at home with a 9-0 record.

Neither team shot above 30.0% as the Mavericks shot 29.1 percent (16-of-55) from the field, 11.1 percent (2-of-18) from the three-point line, and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from the free-throw line.

FLC was limited to 27.2 percent (13-of-48) from the field and 10.0 percent (1-of-10) from the three-points, but shot 88.9 percent (8-of-9) from the free throw line.

The Mavericks tied a season low two three-pointers in tonight's contest which were both recorded by Kylyn Rigsby who led the team with 10 points. Sierra McNicol was dominate on the glass recording a career high 13 rebounds along with six points and a team high three steals.

A sloppy first quarter from both teams led to a 9-4 advantage for the Skyhawks. Both teams suffered six turnovers in the opening ten minutes. The Mavericks regained a lead with 3:21 remaining in the second quarter after three consecutive field goals. Turner scored the final three buckets of the quarter to give the Mavericks an 18-15 lead entering halftime.

The Mavericks recorded 10 second chance points in the first half and gave up zero to the Skyhawks.

In the third quarter the Skyhawks recorded ten of their 13 points in the paint and tied the game twice before taking a 28-25 lead heading into the final quarter.

Brandon completed a three-point play to begin the fourth quarter and tie the game, 28-28. Jordan Carter, who recorded a game high 14 points for the Skyhawks, struck back with a jump shot to take a two-point lead. That was answered by back-to-back three balls from Rigsby who recorded the only CMU three-pointers of the night. Her 6-0 run gave the Mavericks a 35-32 lead with 3:54 remaining in regulation. The Skyhawks got back within one point after going 3-of-4 from the free-throw line with 1:23 left on the clock.

McNicol missed a running layup out of a timeout which allowed FLC a chance to take a lead. They were left empty after a missed jumper and shot clock violation. Brandon drew four fouls in the final 23 seconds and went 2-for-2 from the line with less than ten seconds to play to give the Mavericks a 38-35 lead. Out of a timeout the Skyhawks attempted a layup that was rebounded by Kelsey Siemons to secure the win.  

Up Next

The Mavs will travel to Utah for games against Dixie State and Westminster College. On Jan 24 at 5:30 pm the Mavericks will face Dixie State in St. George, Utah in Burns Arena and on Jan 25 the Mavs will battle against Westminster at 5:30 pm in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Behnken Field House.