STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Justin Smith recorded a double-double in his Mountain Lion debut with a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (0-1) fell in the season-opener 93-86 to Texas-Permian Basin (1-0) in the Whataburger Tip-Off Classic hosted by Tarleton State. Blend Avdili added 12 points to lead the bench.

The Mountain Lions outscored the Falcons in the second half and used a 9-0 run midway through the half to take the lead at 67-66 with 9:30 to play. Texas-Permian Basin had three student-athletes foul out of the game and had four more with four fouls, but went seven-of-10 at the free throw line in the last two minutes to hold off UCCS.

Smith went 14-of-21 at the free throw line and four-of-seven from the field with one three-pointer. He scored 14 of his 23 points in the second half and made two blocked shots in the half. Avdili went a perfect eight-of-eight at the free throw line and led both teams with five assists this afternoon. Brandon Malone made a career-high seven rebounds and added nine points for the offense.

UCCS will stay in Stephenville to take on host Tarleton State on Saturday at 6 p.m., MST. The No. 10 Texans play Adams State later tonight in the season-opener for both teams.