COLORADO SPRINGS – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team held off a late run by MSU Denver to snap a four-game losing streak and earn a 71-70 home win over the Roadrunners Friday night in Gallogly Events Center.
UCCS jumped out to a 15-0 run to start the game and held the Roadrunners to only six field goals in the first half, including only three made field goals in the first 15 minutes of action.
The Mountain Lions led by as many as 19 points in the second half, but MSU Denver stormed back to take their first lead of the game with less than two minutes left in regulation. The Mountain Lions held off MSU Denver from the free throw line, making all six attempts in the final minute and 28 seconds.
Blend Avdili's three-pointer at 4:30 in the second half put the Mountain Lions up by 12 points, 65-53, but the Roadrunners stormed back to hit five three-pointers as part of a 17-6 run to close out the game.
After Avdili's trey, the Roadrunners scored 14 straight points to take the lead.
DaRaun Clark tied the game after making both free throws, followed by
Elijah Ross' free throws to put UCCS back on top, 69-67.
Druce Asah made his ninth three-pointer of the game with 37 ticks remaining to give the Roadrunners a one-point lead, but Ross drove the lane and drew a foul, resulting in two made free throws and the win.
Avdili came off the bench to score a team high 15 points. He netted five field goals, including two from long range, and 3-of-5 free throws while adding four assists.
Padiet Wang posted 12 points and seven rebounds. Three of his six field goals came from alley-oops or breakaway dunks.
Ross and Clark each registered 11 points after making 2-of-6 from the floor. Ross made six of his eight free throw attempts and Clark found the bottom of the net on five of his six free throws. Ross tied Avdili for a team high four assists.
UCCS closed out the game making 43.1 percent from the floor and 21-of-28 free throws.
Asah led both teams with 31 points after making 9-of-14 three pointers.
The Mountain Lions will remain at home Saturday night to take on Chadron State College at 7:30 p.m.
