GUNNISON, Colo. - The Western State Colorado University Mountaineers used a strong first half of play to hold on for the 1-point victory over the Yellow Jackets on Friday night, despite WSCU scoring just 19 points in the second half. 

While the Yellow Jackets outscored WSCU in the second half, 24-19, it was a 29-point first half along with a 41-percent shooting performance in the first half as the Jackets shot just 20-percent that proved to be the difference in the game.  

Usually a staple of the BHSU offensive attack, the Jackets were held to just three made 3-point shots on the night on 22 attempts, while going 0-fo-8 from beyond the arch in the second half.  Even though the long shots were not falling, the Jackets defense that forced 21 turnovers on the game stepped up in the second half to allow BHSU to be in position to win the game at the second-half buzzer while down just one-point, before the game-winning attempt came up short. 

Three Yellow Jackets scored in double-figures as Cassidy Kotelman, Calli Bechtel, and Chelsey Biegler all turned in 11 points on the night.  Bechtel led the way for the Jackets with a double-double after adding 10 rebounds (5 offense, 5 defense) to go with her 11-point performance. 

Kotelman had six rebounds and two steals as Jacket junior, Dakota Barrie, also had six more rebounds to go with her two assists.  BHSU had four players come off the bench to play at least 10 minutes as the bench provided 11 points, while true freshman Taylor Trohkimoinen hustled for four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

Mountaineer, Jade McIntosh, led the game with 23 points after going 9-of-16 from the field.  WSCU did struggle from three-point land as well after going 4-of-22 (18.2%).  Desiree Smith was the second leading scorer for WSCU with 10 points. 

BHSU's best stat-line of the night came from the free-throw line as they missed just two all night after going 12-of-14 (85.7%) as a team.  BHSU went 16-of-62 from the field to shoot an average of 25.8-percent.  WSCU out rebounded the Jackets 46 to 41 as they shot 30.8-percent after going 16-of-52 with 12 made free-throws. 

The loss gives BHSU their first conference loss as they move to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the RMAC.  Tomorrow night (12/7) the Jackets will tip-off at No. 4 ranked Colorado Mesa at 5:30 p.m. 

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