Box Score Denver, Colo.: (By Dylan Docker) The Regis women took a tough loss Monday night to the Cougars of Colorado Christian University. The Cougars (11-12, 9-8 RMAC) picked up the 76-74 win at the Regis Field House, taking the Rangers (9-14, 7-10 RMAC) to the brink before pulling out the win in the final seconds.
Both teams exchanged offensive bursts in the first half before the Rangers opened things up with an 11-0 run. Sophomore forward
Tae'lor Purdy picked up five points with a three-pointer during that span, giving the Rangers a 30-19 lead with 7:49 remaining.
The Cougars landed some late points to close the deficit, but four more points from Purdy and a three-point connection from sophomore guard
Brandi Collins in the waning moments of the half padded the Rangers advantage. The home squad brought a 41-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Colorado Christian came to life in the second half with a 12-2 run, followed closely thereafter by another run of seven unanswered points. The rally by the Cougars trimmed the Rangers lead to 57-56 with 7:35 to play.
Regis maintained their one-point lead into the final five minutes, but Colorado Christian took control with yet another run. The Cougars scored six uncontested points before junior forward
Meghan Hollenga connected for six clutch points of her own to bring the Rangers back.
With 22 seconds remaining the Cougars held a 72-71 lead. Freshman guard Ashley Piper hit a lay-up and drew a foul for the visitors, then connected on her free throw attempt to bring the Colorado Christian lead to four.
Senior post
Kari Ameling drew a foul for Regis on their next possession, hit her first free throw attempt, missed her second, then gathered her own rebound and hit the lay-up.
Ameling's second effort brought the score to 75-74, but only three seconds remained in regulation. The Rangers could not regain possession in time to get the tying points, resulting in the 76-74 win for the Cougars.
Several Regis women had exceptional nights despite the loss. Purdy picked up the double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. She went 8-8 from the charity stripe and also picked up a steal.
Collins tied Purdy for the team lead in scoring with 20 points of her own. Collins also collected five total rebounds and a steal in her 37 minutes of play.
Hollenga and Ameling also scored in double-digits. Hollenga scored 14 points and grabbed five total rebounds, while Ameling connected for 13 points, nine total rebounds, and two steals.
The Regis women will welcome the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Friday, February 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Regis Field House.
