PUEBLO, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball improves to a perfect 5-0 on the season after downing Kansas Christian College 97-58 in Colorado State University Pueblo's Thanksgiving Classic on Friday.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final: UCCS 97, KCC 58
Records: UCCS (5-0, 0-0 RMAC), KCC (4-1 NCCAA)
Location: Massari Arena | Pueblo, Colo.
Series: UCCS now holds a 1-0 record over KCC.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Jezza McKenzie and Alijah Comithier connected on the tip-off for the second consecutive game with McKenzie providing a quick assist to Comithier who laid it in for the quick score.
• The first half went back and forth with a combined six lead changes as the Mountain Lions separated themselves at 6:26 by putting together a 13-0 run that included three of UCCS' four three-pointers. Down 18-20, Geoff Kelly drained a three to start the run with Jon'il Fugett hitting back-to-back three-pointers as the Mountain Lions jumped out on top to secure a 31-20 lead with 4:38 left.
• KCC began to work their way back scoring the next four points but McKenzie ended the period making the next two UCCS baskets, including a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to claim a 12-point lead, 38-26.
• After forcing nine turnovers through 20 minutes of play the Mountain Lions' defense turned it on once again for the second half with five turnovers and holding the Falcons to 32.3 percent shooting (21-of-65).
• Both the UCCS defense and offense came out strong as Comithier was on a tear recording the first seven UCCS points followed by McKenzie and Fugett hitting three consecutive three-pointers to make it 54-34 at 14:54.
• Late in the game, UCCS turned it on by outscoring the Falcons 20-6 for a four-minute span to register their largest lead of the game, 95-50 with 2:53 left in the game. Mac Stodart and Cameron Underwood were impressive down the stretch with a combined 19 points as Noah Baca drained a three and made a layup with a under a minute left to push UCCS to 97 points and another stellar shooting percentage of 53.4 percent.

STATS FROM THE DAY:
• UCCS was 39-of-73 from the field and 11-of-29 from beyond the arc (37.9 percent) as the Mountain Lions also dominated the boards by out-rebounding KCC 55-28.
• Jezza McKenzie notches his second straight double-double after an 11-point and 12-rebound performance. The Australian Native was also 3-of-7 from three-point range and added six assists.
• Alijah Comithier posts a game-high 20 points off 9-of-12 shooting (75 percent).
• Jon'il Fugett registers a season high 12 points with a game high four three-pointers.
• Parker Gaddis continues to hand out assists with a season high and game high nine assists while also scoring 10 points in the win.
• Johnnie Jones III continues to get the job done on the defensive side of the ball by adding two blocks for a team leading 11 blocks on the season.

BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Mountain Lions have registered over 50% shooting from the field for the fourth consecutive game.
• UCCS is allowing an average 61.8 points and posting 97.2 points per game for an exceptional 35.4 scoring margin.

UP NEXT:
• UCCS Men's Basketball returns to Pueblo, Colo. tomorrow as the Mountain Lions matchup with Texas A&M International University at 3 p.m. inside Massari Arena.  
 
SOCIAL:
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.