Kirchoff leads UCCS women’s basketball team to rout of Regis in RMAC Shootout quarters
Abby Kirchoff had one heck of a Tuesday.
Hours after being named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs senior guard scored a team-high 19 points to lead the Mountain Lions to a 92-70 win over Regis in the quarterfinals of the RMAC Shootout. Kirchoff scored all 19 of her points in the first half, and second-seeded UCCS (24-5) shot 67.6 percent from the field in the opening half to take a 58-36 lead.
The victory avenged UCCS’ lone loss at home (12-1) and extended its winning streak to five games.
“Everybody contributed, and we had so many girls in double digits,” said Kirchoff, who added seven rebounds and five assists. “It was just a fun game, and everyone was just hyped for it. It was definitely a team win.”
Sam Patterson came off the bench to score a season-high 17, while Tori Fisher chipped in 12 points and a game-high 12 boards. Gabby Ramirez added 14 for the Mountain Lions, who will play third-seeded Colorado Christian top-seeded at Colorado Mesa on Friday.
“We just get on a roll, and you can’t stop us, honestly,” said Patterson, a Peyton High School product. “When we’re sharing the ball and everyone’s scoring, it’s a hard thing to defend. The crowd pumped me up and got me into it, and I was just feeling it tonight.”
Being named the conference’s player of the year did not add any extra pressure on Kirchoff.
“Actually, the pressure was off my shoulders because I’d already gotten (the honor), and they can’t take it away,” she said. “It’s such a huge honor, and it was so fun to play as the player of the year.”
Bay’lee Purdy led seventh-seeded Regis (16-11) with 25 points, while Caresse Williams and Jessica Ramos scored 11 apiece. UCCS held Regis to 27 percent shooting from 3-point range (9 of 33) and outrebounded the Rangers 48-29.
“Tonight, I felt we were hitting on all cylinders,” first-year UCCS coach Shawn Nelson said. “I was very happy with how we executed and got what we wanted to get. I feel like we have a lot of players who are playing like they’ve been capable of playing all year, and if they can keep doing that, I think we’ll be tough to beat.”
UCCS’ Brittany Hernandez, an All-RMAC First Team selection with Kirchoff, spent most of the first half in foul trouble and finished with four points and five rebounds in 12 minutes.
The Mountain Lions scored the game’s first nine points and used a 10-0 run midway through the half to open a double-digit lead. An 11-2 run in the first six minutes of the second half dispelled any notion of a Rangers comeback.
UCCS’ 58 first-half points tied for the second-highest total in school history.
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs forward Kellie Krueger, left, picks up guard Shannon Kelly in celebration after UCCS beat Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Abby Kirchoff scores a layup in the first half of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals against Regis University Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Kirchoff ended the game with 19 points as UCCS beat Regis 90-72. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Abby Ramos celebrates after her team beat Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Jessika Kienitz puts up a shot while being defended by Regis University guard Bay’lee Purdy, left, as UCCS takes on Regis University in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. UCCS beat Regis 90-72. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Jessika Kienitz takes the ball down the court while being defended by Regis University guard Caresse Williams as UCCS takes on Regis University in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. UCCS beat Regis 90-72. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Jessika Kienitz drives to the hoop past Regis University center Kaycee Hert as UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs guard Gabby Ramirez, center, celebrates as UCCS starts out with a 6-0 run against Regis University in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. UCCS beat Regis 90-72. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
UCCS beats Regis University 90-72 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout quarterfinals Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Gallogly Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
