WICHITA FALLS, Texas – After scoring 96 points just one day earlier, the Aggie women's basketball team was held to just 49 points as they fell to Colorado Mesa in their second game of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks took charge of the game early, as CU's one and only lead was erased at the 5:23 mark in the first quarter. From there, the two teams battled back and forth, but CMU held a 16-13 lead through the first 10 minutes. Mesa used a six point run early in the second to increase their lead as they closed out the half leading 30-25.
Cameron shot just 36.7 percent from the field in the first half, going 3-13 from three, and not attempting a free throw through the first 20 minutes.
Ava Battese and
Amaka Nwakamma each had seven points at the break, while Ma'ata Epenisa led the Mavericks with 10 points and seven boards. CMU shot almost 40 percent from the field and went 2-7 from deep in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Aggies battled back but the CMU defense held off the attack as they still lead by five heading into the fourth. Cameron got to within two points at the 5:27 mark in the final quarter thanks to a Battese three and a
Lejha Smith layup. However, after a three pointer of their own, the Mavericks held CU scoreless the rest of the game, as they used a 7-0 run to win 58-49.
Nwakamma finished the game with 11 points, while both Battese and Smith chipped in 10; Smith also had a team high eight rebounds. Cameron shot just 33 percent from the field while hitting just 6-24 from deep and 5-8 from the charity stripe. On the defensive side, they forced nine turnovers and had 14 steals with Nwakamma leading the way with seven.
Colorado Mesa was led by Erin Reichle, who had 21 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Jaylyn Duran had 17 points, and Epenisa finished with 12. CMU hit on all five of their free throw attempts.
Cameron's Battese was named to the all-tournament team, while CMU's Duran was named tournament MVP and Epenisa was also named to the team.
With the loss, CU moves to 1-1 on the young season, while the Mavericks are now 2-0.
The Black and Gold will return home for their next contest as they host Oklahoma Christian on Thursday, Nov. 16 for their first game in front of the Aggie faithful.
