By Dalton Ries, GoThunderWolves.com Insider

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Feb. 9, 2013) - CSU-Pueblo missed an opportunity to surge in the RMAC standings, struggling shooting the ball Saturday night as UC-Colorado Springs claimed a 47-37 win.

UCCS was the aggressors early and throughout the game as their defense stifled the Thunderwolves holding them to just 22 percent shooting for the game.

The aggressiveness of the Mountain Lions opened up an early 12-3 lead as the Pack were caught on their heels. The Mountain Lions' intensity continued but the Thunderwolves fought back with a little defense of their own, forcing six first half turnovers.

Despite their poor shooting, the Thunderwolves were able to stay in the game by crashing the offensive boards. The Pack collected eight first half offensive boards to keep the score 28-20 at half.

The poor shooting continued for the Pack as the Mountain Lions played relentless defense, stifling any run the Thunderwolves tried to make. The Thunderwolves fought hard and brought the game to 39-33 late in the second half, but the Pack could not find the bottom of the basket for much of the remainder of the game.

CSU-Pueblo was held scoreless for over eight minutes, finishing the night shooting just 12-for-55 from the field, a season worst.

The Pack was unable to mount a comeback despite their hard work defensively. The Mountain Lions pulled away from the Pack in the final minutes of the game to take sole possession of third place in the RMAC.

"We only allowed 47 points. You're going to win most games when you play good defense like that. We just couldn't score the ball. We had no rhythm offensively and that's my fault. I have to do a better job with that." head coach Kip Drown said.

The Pack were led in scoring by Katie Nehf (So., Broomfield, Colo.) who collected nine points, four rebounds, and three steals. 

The ThunderWolves, suddenly in fourth place in the RMAC standings, travel to Fort Lewis and Adams State next weekend before returning home Feb. 22.