COLORADO SPRING, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team grinds out an overtime win in the most exciting game of their season by taking down Western Colorado University (WCU) by a score of 99-97.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 99, WCU 97
Records: UCCS (5-5, 5-5 RMAC), WCU (4-7, 4-6 RMAC)
Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: UCCS leads the all-time series, 24-18, over WCU all-time. The Mountain Lions now have a four-game win streak against WCU and a 12-9 home record.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams came out with a lot of energy from the get go as the Gallogly Events Center was very loud, almost as if there were fans in the stands.
• WCU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first three minutes, but UCCS would answer with a 9-4 run to tie the game at nine.
• From then on it was a hard fought battle as neither team would give an inch. Each big shot was answered by another as the team traded blows.
• UCCS led by as many as five in the half (21-16), but the Mountaineers would go into the locker room leading 37-31.
• Alijah Comithier led all scorers in the half with 10 points.
• The second half started slow as defense was a priority for both teams. This game was similar to a heavyweight fight as each team traded blows throughout the game.
• Neither team had more than a six-point lead at any point in the half as this game went down to the wire.
• In the final seconds, Comithier hit a pair of free throws to make the score 82-79. WCU answered with a miracle three-point shot at the buzzer by Cole Sienknecht to send the game into overtime.
• The teams traded baskets to start overtime as Comithier was the focal point in the paint along with Geoff Kelly and Cameron Underwood.
• UCCS took the lead, 86-84, and never relinquished it as they came one-point short of the century mark and took home the victory, 99-97.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME

• The Mountain Lions shot 55.6 percent from the field (30-54 FG), 50 percent from three (4-8 3PT), and 74.5 percent from the free throw line (35-47 FT).
• The Mountain Lions outrebounded WCU 33-27 and racked up 13 assists to the Mountaineers' eight.
• Alijah Comithier led all scorers with 32 points, 26 of which came in the second half and overtime.
• Cameron Underwood and Geoff Kelly followed suit with 19 points and 16 points.
• Comithier led the squad with seven rebounds and went 9-for-11 from the free throw line to lead UCCS. Kelly added an 8-for-13 performance from the charity stripe as well.
• Jezza McKenzie led all players with six assists in the game.

 
UP NEXT
UCCS is back in action this Saturday, Feb. 6 as they will play host to Fort Lewis College at 7:30 p.m. inside the Gallogly Events Center.
 

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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.