Grand Junction, Colo.: Looking to travel with the momentum off last night's win, the Regis University Ranger women's basketball team battled but ultimately fell to the Colorado Mesa Mavericks (14-3, 11-2 RMAC) 66-63 to split on the first of two weekends on the road.  The Mavericks are currently sitting in second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. 

With the score tied at 9-9 just five minutes into play, the Rangers distance themselves from the Mavericks going on an 11-3 run sparked by a three-pointer from junior guard Caresse Williams (Citrus Heights, California). 

Colorado Mesa spent the remainder of the first half fighting from behind with the Rangers maintaining control and pace of the game.  The Mavericks closed the final minutes before halftime on a 10-4 run to close the gap in the score, 33-30.

The Mavericks opened the second half always seeming to have an answer to the Rangers, responding to RU three-point baskets with three's of their own to stay just within reach of Regis at the 14:50 mark, 44-37.  Colorado Mesa brought the score to three just before the media timeout, 47-44, the smallest lead the Rangers held since early in the game. 

The score would tie at 49-49 for the first time since the opening minutes of the game at the 7:39 mark and shortly after that the Mavericks flipped the script taking the lead, 52-49.  Colorado Mesa continued to hold the lead with the Rangers coming within one, 58-57, with just over a minute to play but could never recover and moved to 11-6 overall and 7-6 in the RMAC.

Junior guard Bay'lee Purdy (Agate, Colorado) led all scorers with 21 points off 7-12 from the field, 3-5 from distance, and 4-4 from the charity stripe.  Williams added 16 points pulling down five boards and dishing out a team-high of four assists.  Sophomore forward Karlyn Johnson (Littleton, Colorado) pitched in with 12 on 5-7 from the field. 

The Mavericks almost doubled the amount of free throw attempts going 16-23 from the line and the Rangers just 11-13.  Colorado Mesa won the battle on the boards, outrebounding Regis 37-28. 

RU is back on the road next weekend at Black Hills State (10-6, 8-4 RMAC) on Friday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m.