STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Dalton Walker led the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with a career-high 14 points and Elijah Ross added 11 with eight assists as the Mountain Lions dropped an 86-74 season-opening contest to Angelo State at the Texan Tip-Off Classic.

Angelo State took an early 12-2 lead and UCCS used four 3-pointers to cut the Ram lead down to three points at 17-14 with 14:45 to play in the first half. Angelo State put together a 17-5 run during the next seven minutes for a 34-19 and would keep a double-digit lead at halftime, 46-32. Geoff Kelly led UCCS with 10 points in the first half.

The Mountain Lions made it a seven-point game at 58-51 eight minutes into the second half and held the Rams scoreless for nearly three minutes during the same stretch. Angelo State gradually opened an 18-point lead with seven minutes to play and led by at least 11 points for the rest of the afternoon in the 86-74 decision. Justin Smith scored all eight of his points in the second half and was perfect from the field in the second half with a three-for-three performance and a pair of free throws. UCCS shot 12 percent better in the second half and out-scored Angelo State.

Kelly finished the game with a career-high 13 points and Brandon Malone led the Mountain Lions with seven rebounds.

UCCS will continue the season-opening weekend with a 6 p.m., MST, game against the host, Tarleton State. The Texans (1-0) defeated MSU Denver 89-78 tonight.