ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team used a dominant fourth quarter to rally past Colorado Mesa 56-52 on Saturday in a nonconference game at Dixie State.

The Nighthawks outscored the team picked to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 15-6 in the final 10 minutes.

"We were a lot more consistent on the defensive side tonight," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "They tried to slow it down, especially in the last few minutes and they ended up not getting good shots. I was proud of the girls to stay consistent on the defensive end because our will come from that.

"Shots aren't falling right now, but I thought we were just a lot tougher tonight."

The Nighthawks (3-3 overall) had lost back-to-back games to RMAC foes Westminster and Dixie State, before knocking off the Mavericks (2-2).

NNU trailed 52-46 with 4 minutes, 32 seconds remaining in the game, before closing on a 10-0 run.

Avery Albrecht started the run with a 3-pointer and then a free throw to make it 52-50 with 1:35 left. Marina Valles then had a steal and a layup, another steal and a made free throw for a 53-52 lead with 43 seconds left. Freshmen Nicole Gall and McKenna Emerson then sealed the game at the line, making 3-of-4 in the final seconds.

"We were a lot tougher tonight through four quarters, not just three quarters," Steele said.

Erin Jenkins finished with a team-high 16 points and five rebounds before fouling out. Valles had a near triple-double, recording 11 points, 10 steals, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots as she continues to fill up the state sheet.

Albrecht finished with nine points, Gall had eight and Emerson seven.

NNU hosts Whitworth at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a nonconference game before opening GNAC play at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 against Saint Martin's as part of a doubleheader with the men's team.