White Scores Game High 17 at Black Hills

SPEARFISH, S.D. - Derrick White went seven-of-11 to score a game-high 17 points as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2-14 / 2-10 RMAC) put together a late rally in a 75-69 loss to Black Hills State (5-11 / 4-8 RMAC) tonight at the Young Center. The Mountain Lions shot 49 percent from the field for the best shooting percentage in six games.
 
After the Yellow Jackets opened the game on an 8-2 run in the first three minutes, UCCS held Black Hills State scoreless for the next four minutes to tie the game at 8-8 after a jumper from Nolan Baker. The Mountain Lions put together another run near the end of the half with field goals on three straight possessions to a take a 29-22 advantage with three minutes left.
 
Black Hills State closed out the half on a 9-2 run and scored the tying field goal with eight seconds left as the teams entered the half tied at 31. UCCS shot 54 percent (14-of-26) in the first 20 minutes and Alex Welsh led the Mountain Lions with eight points in the period.
 
Black Hills State took an 11-point advantage with 14:18 left in the game, and matched the lead four more times.  The Yellow Jackets led by 10 points with four minutes remaining before a dunk by White started an eight-point run for the freshman. He brought UCCS within four points with 1:58 left, and Darius Pardner brought the game back within four points with 22 seconds left.
 
Alex Koehler made a three-pointer with four seconds left to bring the score within four points again at 73-69, but Black Hills State went eight-of-nine at the free throw line over the final 1:45 to claim the decision 75-69.
 
White led the Mountain Lion offense for the eighth time in the last nine games and added two blocked shots on defense. UCCS shot better than 45 percent from the field for the sixth time this season.
 
Up Next: UCCS travels to Chadron State for an 8 p.m. game Saturday night in Armstrong Gymnasium. The Eagles (1-15 / 1-11 RMAC) lost 87-47 tonight to Colorado State-Pueblo