COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team takes down Western Colorado University for their fifth win of the season. In a game that featured some quality defensive play, UCCS comes home with the win, 69-50. The Mountain Lions are now 5-2 overall this season and 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

UCCS shot it well from the field as they finished the game shooting 45.8 percent (27-59), while holding Western Colorado to under 30 percent shooting for the game (28.8 percent, 17-59 FG). The Mountain Lions also shot well from beyond the arc at 38.9 percent, including 50 percent in the second half (5-10). UCCS also racked up 10 blocks and 13 steals in what was their best defensive performance of the season so far.

Blend Avdili led all scorers with 19 points (7-12 FG), which included a 5-for-9 performance from long range. He also added four rebounds and tied for the game high in blocks with three. Padiet Wang and Alijah Comithier were the second and third highest scorers for UCCS with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Wang also added a game high in both rebounds and steals with eight and seven, respectively. Johnnie Jones III matched Wang's game high in rebounds and Avdili's game high in blocks as well.

The first half started off as a slow, back-and-forth affair as the score was a mere 13-12 halfway through the period. Defense was the theme as UCCS had five blocks and five steals in the first half alone. The Mountain Lions were able to create some separation as they finished the final seven minutes of the half on a 17-8 run to make the score 30-23 after one.

UCCS really put on the clamps defensively in the second half as they held the Mountaineers to 27.3 percent shooting overall and 18.8 percent from the three-point line. Offensively, UCCS finished the second half shooting 50 percent overall and from the three-point line (16-32 FG, 5-10 3PT) to put the game away. UCCS added eight more steals and five more blocks for good measure as they cruised to their fifth win of the season.

UCCS is back in action next weekend as they will be on the road for a pair of RMAC matchups. The Mountain Lions will play Regis on Friday, December 13 and Colorado Christian on Saturday, December 14.