LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Strong shooting by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team was not enough as they lost a 98-86 decision on the road to New Mexico Highlands University Saturday night in Las Vegas, N.M.
 
UCCS (15-9, 11-8 RMAC) started the game on fire, making 16-of-24 field goals for 66.7 percent, including 5-of-8 from downtown and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe as they held a 41-40 lead after one half of action.
 
After making five threes in the first half, the Mountain Lions were aggressive from behind the arc in the second half, attempting 22 three-pointers but only seven fell through the rim.  Conversely, the Cowboys also put on a strong shooting performance, making 15 field goals in each half to shoot 50.8 percent for the night (30-of-59) and 13-of-22 from three-point range (59.1 percent). 
 
NMHU (15-9, 10-9 RMAC) took advantage of attempting twice as many free throws as the Mountain Lions.  UCCS hit 12-of-14 from the charity stripe, but NMHU attempted 28 free throws, nailing 25 of them for an 89.3 percent.
 
The Cowboys' Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, Raquan Mitchell and Darius Harrison each went 7-for-8 at the line.
 
Three Mountain Lions scored in double figures behind Padiet Wang's team high 28 points.  Wang made 11-of-16 from the floor, 4-of-8 from long range and both free throw attempts.  He chipped in four assists and four rebounds. 
 
Ed Bourke was one rebound shy of double-double.  Bourke registered 17 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals.  Geoff Kelly added 14 points including 12 from behind the arc.
 
Barnes-Thompkins and Mitchell led both teams with 34 and 30 points each, respectively.
 
UCCS will return home to Gallogly Events Center Feb. 21-22 to play host to South Dakota School of Mines and Black Hills State University.