Denton, Texas – The Belles closed their opening weekend of the season with an impressive performance on Saturday against Western Colorado, a team that made the NCAA regional this past season. Despite a slow first quarter, the Belles' defense held strong to help them reel in the Mountaineers but ran out of time to complete a comeback, falling 62-57.  

The Belles forced 21 turnovers from their RMAC opponents, tied for most they forced in a single game last year, also outrebounding the Mountaineers 38-32.  

The second quarter saw the Belles hold the Mountaineers to only eight points for the whole quarter, also outscoring Western Colorado 21-15 in the final frame to close the deficit.  

Ten of the 12 Belles that saw the court this afternoon found the scoresheet, led by Payton Brown and Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant, who both scored ten points. Brown and McGhee-Pleasant also recorded a team-high three steals on the defensive end. 

Ashlynn Sharp scored eight points off the bench, making a pair of three-pointers. Madeline Stephens and Sadie Misner both scored seven points, with Stephens also grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.  

The Belles are back in action on Wednesday against Division I Abilene Christian in an exhibition game.