RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ten players scored including
Kamari Portalis' game-high 15 points propelled the UT Permian Basin women's basketball team to a 72-54 win over Colorado Mesa on Saturday evening.
Portalis' 15 points came in 21 minutes off the bench as the Falcons (2-0) were able to convert Colorado Mesa turnovers into points all throughout the contest.
UT Permian Basin forced the Mavericks into 23 turnovers that were converted into 28 points while CMU only scored four points off 12 turnovers from the Falcons.
Both teams played an even period to open the game as the Falcons led 15-12 after the first stanza.
It wasn't until midway through the second period that UT Permian Basin turned a see-saw affair into a one-sided game.
CMU's Laura Gonzalez drained a three to draw the Mavericks to within 26-24 with 4:56 to go before the half, but that would nearly be all the scoring the Falcons would give up before heading into the locker room up 37-26.
During the 11-2 run to close out the first half, Portalis tallied seven points while
Alexus Quaadman scored the other four.
Colorado Mesa fought back in the third quarter to get to within 39-38 with 4:58 left in the period but another large run by UT Permian Basin was the uppercut that all but ended the game as the Falcons outscored the Mavericks 12-3 over the final 4:30 of the third.
The first made 3-pointer of the fourth quarter was as close as Colorado Mesa would get the rest of the game as UT Permian Basin cruised to the victory over the traditionally strong program.
Andreea Mancha recorded 11 points on the day including going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe.
Quaadman had a strong individual game scoring 10 points to go along with four rebounds, two blocks and an assist.
Holly Hemmeline may have tallied just five points, but she was able to lead the Falcons with five rebounds as all ten who scored also recorded a rebound in the well-balanced effort.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will continue their road trip with a Tuesday evening contest in the Mile High City of Denver. Colo., when they take on Regis University. Tipoff is slated to begin at 6 p.m. CST.
