Kari Eakins, Cowboy State News Network

The Wyoming Cowgirl basketball team (24-8 overall, 12-4 MW) had the 2012-13 season ended in the first round of the WNIT with an eight point loss, 71-63, against the Northern Colorado Bears (21-12 overall, 15-5 Big Sky) on Thursday night in Laramie.

“I thought with tonight’s game we talked that we had to have energy like every night out,” said head coach Joe Legerski. “Everyone also has to understand that teams playing at this time of year have won at a high level. I give a great deal of credit to Northern Colorado. They came out played with a great deal of energy. A big sequence was we were down five missed the front end of a one and one and UNC came down and closed out the half on a 9-0 run. We fought in the second half and our energy level changed. The crowd was awesome, got into the game and we were able to close the gap to four. The difference to close out this game was from the free throw line. Northern Colorado was 17-20 (.850) and we were 16-29 (.552) and that is a big part of tournament winning.”

Three Cowgirls finished the night in double-figures led by senior Chaundra Sewell. She recorded a team high 17 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes of play. Fallon Lewis recorded a career high 15 points off the bench while Ashley Sickles added 13. Wyoming shot 20-52 (.385) from the field and out rebounded the Bears, 34-33, but shot just 16-29 (.552) from the free throw line.

Northern Colorado was led by Lauren Oosdyke with 16 points, while D’shara Strange and Lindsay Mallon each recorded 15 points. Strange also led the way with five rebounds. They were 25-51 (.490) from the field and 17-20 (.850)