Mountain Lions Take #7 Winona State to Final Minute in Minnesota

Derrick White led the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in scoring for the second time this season with 14 points, and the Mountain Lions (0-2) had a one-possesion game with 56 seconds remaining in a 66-57 loss to No. 7 Winona State (4-1) tonight in Minnesota. The Mountain Lions scored on three of their first four possessions to take a 6-2 lead against the Warriors, and didn't trail for the first time to Winona State until five minutes into the game. UCCS held the second-best offense in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference last season without a field goal for more three minutes midway through the half and used a six-point rally late in the half to cut the game to a three-point contest with 1:40 remaining before the break. The Mountain Lions scored 14 points in the paint and scored 10 points off nine Warriors turnovers, but trailed 34-26 at halftime.

Winona State built up a 13-point lead during the second half, but UCCS gradually chipped into the Warrior advantage and used back-to-back three-pointers from Alex Koehler to cut a nine-point game to a three points with 56 seconds remaining. Winona State converted on its free throws in the final minute to claim a 66-57 victory.

White added a pair of blocked shots for the Mountain Lion defense, while Alex Welsh made the other two blocked shots and added 10 points.

Up Next: UCCS travels to California for the Thanksgiving break to take on Chico State and San Francisco State on Friday and Saturday. The two teams combined to go 1-2 during their opening weekends.