DENVER, Colo – Back-to-back Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference battles for the Regis University Ranger women's basketball had a similar finish but different ending than last night's game. The Rangers held off a persistent University of Colorado-Colorado Springs team to finish the weekend with a 73-70 win over the Mountain Lions.

An all-around team effort for the Rangers led to four players producing double-digit scoring on the offensive side and on the other end, as a team, Regis held Brittany Hernandez, the RMAC's leading scorer below her 20 point average, to 12.

RU controlled a 19-11 lead over the Mountain Lions after the first quarter but a pair of three's and some free throws kept the score tight until an 8-2 run by the home team extended the lead, 34-23, at halftime.

The Rangers continued to keep UCCS at bay responding with baskets and defensive stops throughout the third leading, 53-43, heading into the final quarter of play. Just when it looked like RU was going to be able to cruise to a win holding their largest lead of the game 64-49, at the 5:44 mark, the Mountain Lions surged.

As basketball is a game of runs, a 12-2 UCCS run with under five minutes to go brought the visitors back within five, 68-63. The Mountain Lions drained one from distance with 27 seconds remaining to take a 70-69 lead.

Regis stayed composed coming out of a timeout drawing up the shot they were looking for, unfortunately, Bay'lee Purdy was unable to connect on the three but Kaylie Rader cleaned up the offensive glass and finished the put back to shift the lead back to Regis, 71-70, with 12 second left.

RU forced a UCCS turnover out of a timeout as Majestie Robinson was immediately fouled. Robinson, a freshman, stepped to the line and knocked down both extending the Ranger lead, 73-70, requiring the Mountain Lions to hit a three in order to tie. A timeout allowed UCCS to move the ball up just past mid-court. The Mountain Lions were able to get the three off with time expiring but another round of tough defense followed by Karlyn Johnson securing the rebound moves Regis to an overall record of 16-9 and 14-5 in the RMAC.

Rader led all scorers with 19 points and 12 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double of the season. Rader also chipped in with two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Robinson dropped a career-high as a Ranger with 14 points going 3-of-6 from the field, 2-of-3 from three, and 6-of-9 from the line. Purdy and Caresse Williams added 12 apiece combining for 4-of-10 from distance.

 Regis heads into the second to last weekend of regular season RMAC play Friday, February 19 as they travel to Westminster (10-13, 7-12 RMAC). With this win tonight, RU currently sits tied for second in the conference with Colorado Christian (17-6, 14-5).