COLORADO SPRINGS – Five University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball student-athletes scored in double figures Monday night as the Mountain Lions opened their home season with a dominating 106-64 win over cross town opponent Colorado College.
UCCS took charge quickly as they jumped to a 12-0 lead in the first four minutes of action with five different Mountain Lions scoring points. Leading 14-5, UCCS went on a 19-0 run in the first half, forcing nine turnovers during that span and scoring 13 points from the turnovers.
The Mountain Lions headed into halftime with a comfortable 29-point lead, 52-23, after netting 57.1 percent from the floor (20-of-35) and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe (10-of-12).
UCCS continued their hot shooting in the second half, hitting 22-of-36 field goals for 61.1 percent. The Mountain Lions 42 made field goals and 59.2 field goal shooting percent are season highs.
Padiet Wang led UCCS with 18 points, seven rebounds and five dimes. He stole the ball seven times from the Tigers, helping the Mountain Lions force 29 CC turnovers.
Brandon Malone and
Isaiah Wilson each netted 13 points. Wilson added five steals and three assists.
Blend Avdili chipped in 12 points, three rebounds four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Avdili made 4-of-5 field goals and all four free throw attempts.
Ian MacDonald was near perfect from the floor, sinking 5-of-6 field goals, including 1-of-2 from long range.
UCCS edged the Tigers in rebounding, 33-32, but scored 16 second chance points to CC's seven. Thirty-two of the Mountain Lions points came from the fast break, while over half of their points (64) came from inside the paint.
CooXooEii Black of CC led all scorers with 25 points in 27 minutes of action.
The win improves UCCS to 2-3 on the season and gives head coach
Jeff Culver his 99
th win at UCCS.
The Mountain Lions will open the conference season on Saturday at home against Colorado School of Mines. The women's game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.
