DURANGO, Colo. (GothunderWolves.com – Dec, 7, 2013) The ThunderWolves women's basketball team overcame a late surge, defeating the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 78-73, finishing the first weekend of RMAC play 2-0.

But the late surge was not the only thing the ThunderWolves overcame on Saturday night.

Point Guard Dee Arrieta (So. Pueblo West, Colo.), who averages 10.5 points per game, was a late scratch with an injury before the game.

"Tonight we walked in right before we go on the floor and Dee's knee went out of place streching," said head coach Kip Drown. "Someone who has been our leading scorer a lot of the year, all of a sudden, she's not going to go and our kids came out and didn't blink, went right at them, aggressive."

Stepping in for Arrieta was point guard Ana Gurau (So. Longmont, Colo.) who, coming into the game, averaged nine minutes and 0.6 points per game. Gurau finished the game with six points in 24 minutes.

"We told the kids all along if we can survive at this point, and get kids back healthy, we're going to develop more depth," Drown said. "Ana, that's confidence."

Leading the way for the ThunderWolves, in a game that featured 15 lead changes, most coming in the first half, was Paige Ramm (Sr. Prescott, Ariz.), who finished the game with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

 "It's always good to hit them on the road," said Ramm of the free throws on Fox Sports Pueblo's post game interview. "Just being able to step up and hit free throws makes a big difference on the game."

The ThunderWolves will take a 2-0 conference record on the road again on Dec. 13 when the women travel to Denver to take on Regis University at 5 p.m.