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Dec 1, 2018; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UCCS Mountain Lions players in the second half against the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers at Gallogly Events Center. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing

PREVIEW | Men's Basketball Takes on Mines for First Game of RMAC Play

11/26/2019 11:06:00 AM

By: Jake Wise - Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant
This Week's Games
  • The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team will be on the road in Golden, Colo. this week for their first game of conference play.
  • On Saturday, November 30, UCCS will take on Colorado School of Mines at 8 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena.
Game Coverage Last Time Out
  • The Mountain Lions split their two most recent games, bringing their overall record to 3-1 this season. The last time UCCS competed, the Mountain Lions took down the University of Nebraska-Kearney (2-3) 76-70 but fell to Fort Hays State University (3-1), 68-75.
  • UCCS played well against UNK as they shot 52 percent from the field overall (24-46), including 46 percent from the three-point line. The Mountain Lions outrebounded the Lopers 33-29, dished out 11 assists and recorded eight blocks as a team in the game.
  • UCCS ended the first half up five points (39-34) and was able to outlast UNK in the second half to bring home the six-point victory.
  • DaRaun Clark led all scorers in the game with 25 points off the bench. Clark went 7-for-13 from the field, 3-for-6 from long range and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line to lead UCCS. He also recorded a team high three blocks, as did redshirt freshman William Becker.
  • Padiet Wang was UCCS' second leading scorer with 18 points and four steals, while Ed Bourke and Parker Gaddis each had 10 points and three assists in the Mountain Lions third win this season.
  • On Sunday, UCCS battled FHSU in a back and forth affair, but ultimately fell just short for their first loss of the season, 68-75. The Mountain Lions were unable to carry their offensive momentum into Sunday's matchup as they shot 39 percent from the floor and 23 percent from deep. FHSU shot 45 percent and 38 percent from the field and the three-point line respectively.
  • The Mountain Lions jumped out to an early 11-point lead and would end the first half up by one (33-32). The second half was hard fought by both teams, but FHSU was able to make more plays down the stretch as they outscored UCCS 43-35 in the second half to take home the win.
  • The Tigers were the first team to outrebound UCCS this year as they hauled in 44 rebounds compared to UCCS' 32. FHSU had five players score in double figures with Jared Vitztum recording a team high 17 points.
  • Wang led all scorers in the game with 23 points and added three rebounds, four blocks and one steal to his stat sheet as well. Clark was second behind Wang in scoring with 15 points, while Blend Avdili and Alijah Comithier each recorded nine points in the game.
  • Bourke led all players with nine rebounds while Gaddis also led all players with four assists.
The Series
  • Against Mines, UCCS has an all-time record of 10-34. The Mountain Lions have historically averaged just over 69 points per game against Mines but have averaged close to 82 points per game in their recent matchups. The latest matchup between these teams ended in a one point, 80-81 loss for UCCS on a game winning free throw by Mines.
Scouting Report
  • After four home games to start the season, Mines has an overall record of 2-2. The Orediggers dropped their opening game of the season to St. Mary's University (STMU), 84-85, won their next two games against Lubbock Christian University (LCU), 75-47, and FHSU, 91-72, then lost their most recent game to UNK 66-74.
  • The combined record of the teams Mines has lost to this season is 4-5, with STMU owning a 2-2 record and UNK owning a 2-3 record. Mines' two wins have come against teams with a combined record of 4-4, as FHSU has a 3-1 record and LCU has 1-3 record.
  • As a team, Mines is averaging 79 points per game this season and allowing only 69.5 points. The Orediggers are shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from long range (40-97, 10 per game) and 73.7 percent from the charity stripe to start this season. They are also averaging 34 rebounds, 17 assists, 12 turnovers, 6.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game.
  • Individually, Mason Baker and Brendan Sullivan are the two leading scorers for Mines, averaging 17.5 and 17 points per game, respectively. Baker is averaging five rebounds and a team high six assists per game, while Sullivan leads the team in steals (seven), three-pointers made (10) and three-point percentage (62.5 percent).
  • Michael Glen is the team's leading rebounder with 29 (7.3 per game) and ranks third in points per game at 14.3.
Hot Takes
  • UCCS is averaging 75.8 points per game this season and outscoring their opponents by an average of 8.8 points. The Mountain Lion are shooting 46 percent form the field overall, 33 percent from long range and 66 percent from the free-throw line.
  • UCCS is also averaging close to 40 rebounds per game (39.8), 14.3 assists, 5.8 steals and 8.5 blocks per game.
  • Padiet Wang is leading the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game and also leads the team in free throws made (21), steals (10) and blocks (seven). DaRaun Clark is the team's second leading scorer at 16 points per game and is UCCS' leading three-point shooter with 10 made threes this season.
  • William Becker leads UCCS in rebounding with 27 total boards this season and nine per game. Close behind Becker is Ed Bourke with 23 total rebounds. Bourke also adds nine points per game, 10 assists and six blocks this season.
  • Parker Gaddis leads the Mountain Lions in assists with 16 (four per game).
UCCS Under Head Coach Jeff Culver
  • The Mountain Lions are now 117-92 under coach Culver and 3-1 to start the 2019-2020 season. UCCS' 3-1 start this season is the team's best start under coach Culver since the 2014-2015 season.
Upcoming Games
  • Next weekend UCCS will be back home in the Gallogly Events Center for a pair RMAC matchups.
  • On Friday, December 6, UCCS will take on Colorado Mesa University at 7:30 p.m. for Black Out Night.
  • On Saturday, December 7, UCCS will host Western Colorado University at 7:30 p.m.
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