Regional Loss Ends CMU Mavericks Basketball Season

The Colorado Mesa Mavericks women's basketball team saw their season come to an end Friday with a 68-65  loss to Arkansas-Fort Smith in the quarterfinals of the NCAA South Central Regional.As it did in their RMAC Shootout loss to Colorado Mines,  a poor shooting performance doomed the Mavericks in the opening round of the regional. The Mavs shot just 34% from the field for the game with the Mavs three leading scorers Erin Reichle, Shanna Halalilo, and Leandra Gilbert going a combined 9-36 from the field.

Despite the poor shooting, the Mavs still nearly pulled out a win. Down 39-30 at halftime, CMU outscored the Lions 35-29 in the second half and had a chance to tie, but Erin Reichle, a 91% free throw shooter, made just one of two foul shots with just  three seconds remaining to draw the Mavs to within one point.

Poor shooting wasn't the only factor working against the Mavericks. Arkansas Fort-Smith turned 21 CMU turnovers into 26  points. The Lions also had a huge advantage at the free throw line hitting on 21-30 free throws compared to the Mavs who connected on 11 of 13 free throws in the game.

Colorado Mesa finished the season 23-6, their third consecutive 20+ win season. The Mavs won their third straight RMAC regular season title and made their third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament under third-year head coach Taylor Wagner.

In addition to San Lo'amanu, the Mavericks lose three starters to graduation including Leandra Gilbert, Laurel Kasel, and Shanna Halalilo.