by By Brian Kortz, WNMU Athletics
Box Score DENVER, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University women’s basketball team had erased a halftime deficit and held a five-point lead with under eight to play in the second half before Regis University came back to claim a 58-50 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.
Trailing by seven at halftime, WNMU (4-6, 2-5 RMAC) went in front near the midway point of the half as My’Kale French (Racine, WI/Case High School) tallied a pair of free throws and then a layup for the three-point lead. The Lady Mustangs grabbed their first five-point lead at the 8:54 mark on a three by Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School) for the 43-38 advantage.
Mitchell helped keep the lead at five with another triple at the 7:45 mark. RU (7-3, 3-3 RMAC) rebounded going on a 6-0 run to regain the lead with four to play. Jade Botelho(Honolulu, HI/Iolani High School) converted a layup on the next Lady Mustang possession that had WNMU back in front for what would turn out to be the last time at 48-47.
The Lady Rangers closed the game on an 11-2 run for the victory, with most of the points coming in the final seconds. After a Mitchell steal led to a RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) transition layup to bring WNMU to within one at 51-50 with 23 seconds to play, RU would convert two foul shots to take a three-point lead.
On the next trip down for WNMU, the shot was missed and then on the loose ball scramble, a foul was called on the Lady Mustangs meaning more foul shots for the Lady Rangers with just six seconds to play and ahead by three. A pair of technical fouls were also called on the Lady Mustangs and RU would make five of the six ensuing foul shots to take the eight-point victory.
Both teams struggled from the floor and with turnovers as RU shot just over 30 percent (17-55), while WNMU made fewer than 29 percent (18-63). WNMU committed 21 turnovers, while RU had 16. WNMU made one more three-pointer (4-3), while RU held a 21-10 advantage at the charity stripe.
Mitchell led all-scorers with 15 points, she also added six rebounds, an assist and two steals. Newsome and Stephanie Moore (Anton, TX/Anton High School) added nine points apiece. Botelho added a team-high eight rebounds and Newsome led the way in assists with six. Bay’lee Purdy and Karlyn Johnson led the Lady Rangers with 12 points apiece.
WNMU will play at Metro State University Denver Saturday night beginning at 5 p.m. The Lady Roadrunners defeated New Mexico Highlands, 64-52, earlier tonight.
