LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team started on fire and jumped to a quick 13-point lead at Colorado Christian University Tuesday night, but UCCS' lead faded as the Cougars took the home court win, 78-69.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 78, Colorado Christian 69
Records: UCCS (7-8, 7-8 RMAC), Colorado Christian (2-14, 2-14 RMAC)
Location: CCU Event Center | Lakewood, Colo.
All-Time Series: CCU leads the all-time series, 35-20.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions were overpowering in the opening minutes of the game, running to a 17-4 start in the first six minutes of action.
- DaRaun Clark drained three three-pointers and Bobby Martin added another trey to account for 12 of the first 17 points.
- CCU would answer their big deficit and slowly chipped away at the Mountain Lions lead.
- UCCS held a 25-18 lead halfway through the first half but saw their lead fade as CCU went on a 12-0 to take their first lead of the game, 27-25.
- Both teams traded leads the remainder of the half as UCCS took a 35-33 lead at the half.
- The Mountain Lions again started strong in the second half, drilling the first five points as Jezza McKenzie hit a trey and Clark added a jumper to give UCCS a 40-33 cushion.
- The Cougars were persistent and continued to chip away at the Mountains Lions, eventually taking a 50-48 lead at the 13-minute mark. CCU's offense took over as they outscored the Mountain Lions 12-2, going 4-for-5 from the floor and 3-for-3 from long range in just over a two-minute span.
- The Mountain Lions answered and settled down the Cougars with an 8-0 run in the final minutes of regulation to get within three points of the cougars, 67-64. Wyatt Dolberry led the charge by making 4-of-5 free throws to go with Bobby Martin's two free throws and a basket from Clark.
- The Cougars closed the game in the final two minutes without missing a shot, making both field goals from the floor (including a three-pointer) and all six free throw attempts.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Clark led all scorers with 27 points after making 10-of-20 from the floor and 4-of-8 from behind the arc.
- Wyatt Dolberry chipped in 15 points, three rebounds and an assist while making 6-of-7 field goals.
- McKenzie came off the bench to net eight points and added five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
- Four Cougars scored in double figures behind Andy Stafford's team high 19 points.
- After making only 3-of-7 free throws in the first half, the Mountain Lions sank 11-of-14 in the second half and finished the game shooting 66.7 percent from the charity stripe (14-of-21).
- UCCS netted 23-of-59 field goals for 39 percent as the Cougars made half of their field goal attempts, 27-of-54).
- The Mountain Lions were outrebounded by three but held a 12-8 advantage on the offensive boards. UCCS outscored CCU in second chance points, 16-4.
UP NEXT
The Mountain Lions will wrap up the regular season on Friday, Feb. 26 at South Dakota School of Mines.
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.