LAS VEGAS, N.M. (GoThunderWolves.com - Dec. 15, 2012) - For a second straight night, CSU-Pueblo overcame a double-digit deficit on the road, coming back from 13 points down in the second half to claim an 86-83 win over New Mexico Highlands, using a buzzer-beater to down the Cowgirls.
The ThunderWolves, trailing the Cowgirls 41-40 near the close of the first half, surrendered 12 straight points to New Mexico Highlands as the first half closed and the second half began, and suddenly the once back-and-forth game was 53-40 in favor of the Cowgirls with 18:06 remaining in the game.
With their backs against the wall for the second night in a row (it began Friday's game against Western New Mexico with a 21-3 deficit), the Pack circled the wagons and started the comeback. After flirting with a run, CSU-Pueblo finally caught fire midway through the second half.
With 10:44 remaining and trailing 67-59, CSU-Pueblo went on a 13-3 run to vault to a 72-70 lead with 7:31 remaining, and suddenly, it was a new ball game.
Down the stretch, neither team could establish more than a two-score lead. With 1:35 remaining, the Cowgirls' Kate Cryderman hit a layup to tie the game at 83-83, leaving both teams an opportunity for a big play late to win the game.
Both teams got possessions, but each couldn't take the lead as they both missed layup attempts. But on the Pack's miss following a Laurel Kearsley (Sr., Victor, Idaho) attempt, the Pack got the team rebound call and a new possession, giving them the chance to play for the final shot.
The Pack's big play came from senior three-point specialist Erica Hicks (Sr., Lakewood, Colo.), who took a Kearsley pass to drain a three with five seconds left, delivering the 86-83 win.
Hicks finished with 17 points on the night, including three three-pointers, while Kearsley led the Pack with 19 points and a career-high seven assists, including an assist on the game-winner.
With the win, CSU-Pueblo, now 8-2, will go into the Winter break with its second best record through ten games in school history. The ThunderWolves will resume its schedule Jan. 5 when it travels to UC-Colorado Springs to take on the Mountain Lions.
