Mountains lose opener
Despite a workmanlike effort from senior power forward Jack Bain, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions lost their season opener, 73-55 to the Pittsburg State Gorillas Friday at Pittsburg, Kan., in the opening round of the PSU Pepsi-Edge3D Classic.
Bain had 10 points, a team-high six rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots.
New coach Marty Fletcher's influence was felt as CU-Colorado Springsà pressure defense limited the Gorillas to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half.
"We have a lot of different defenses. Along with those different defenses, thereÃs a lot of different responsibilities," said Bain. "They're pretty effective when we do them right."
Balancing the strong defense was a tentative offense. The Mountain Lions committed 29 turnovers, 17 in the first half. The Gorillas were also strong on the offensive glass, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds. As a result, Pittsburg State had 75 field goal attempts to CU-Colorado Springs' 48.
All those extra chances cost CU-Colorado Springs on the scoreboard.
After leading 29-24 at the half, Pittsburg State opened the second period by pushing the ball inside. They made six of their first eight field goal attempts in the second half to roll to a 43-27 lead with 16:08 remaining. CU-Colorado Springs, meanwhile, managed only a Casey Gutting 3-pointer in the half's first four minutes.
The Gorillas continued to roll, extending their lead to 67-35 before the Mountain Lions closed with a 20-6 run.
Gutting led CU-Colorado Springs with 12 points. Sophomore Dan Deveau, who played little as a freshman, scored eight points on 4-for-6 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and blocked three shots. All 14 players on the roster saw action for CU-Colorado Springs.
Eddie Jackson led Pittsburg State with 14 points, while Greg Campbell and Jason Taylor added 10 each. Jamey Richardson grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds and blocked four shots.
The Mountain Lions will play Missouri Southern in Saturday's second round.
"Almost every time we played good, solid defense, we got a stop," said Bain. "When we executed right, we got a score. I think nothing but positive will come of (this game)."
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dan Deveau | 11 | F | Fr. |
 | Dan Deveau | 22 | F | So. |
 | Dan Deveau | 22 | F | Jr. |
 | Dan Deveau | 22 | F | Sr. |
 | Casey Gutting | 15 | G | Jr. |
| Casey Gutting | 15 | G | Jr. |
 | Jack Bain | 45 | F | Jr. |
| Jack Bain | 45 | F | Jr. |
| Additional News Stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2004 |  | Hammond named men's basketball coach | The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs announced Wednesday that Lance Hammond was named interim men's basketball coach. |
| March 9, 2004 | Bain grabs conference, regional honors | Having already secured a number of school records, senior forward Jack Bain added conference and regional honors to his resume this week. | |
| February 27, 2004 | Seniors shine in loss | Seniors Jack Bain, Casey Gutting and Jimmie Pack combined for 42 points in the final game of their collegiate careers, a 102-63 defeat at the hands of the Mesa State Mavericks. | |
| February 24, 2004 | Another Bain record leads to second stright win | Jack Bain, who has set record after record during this, his senior season, saved his best for last. And a capacity senior night crowd of 304 watched in amazement as Bain grabbed one more record. | |
| February 21, 2004 | Win feels might fine for men's basketball | Few teams ever deserved a win more than the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs men's basketball team. When it came, few teams could have enjoyed it more. | |
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