COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Redshirt sophomore William Becker registers his first double-double of the season behind one of the best block performances in program history as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions fall to No. 17 Regis University in the final minutes, 78-77.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final: UCCS 77, Regis 78
Records: UCCS (9-5, 4-4 RMAC), Regis (11-1, 6-0 RMAC)
Location: Regis Field House | Denver, Colo.
Series: UCCS trails the all-time series against Regis 16-40 with the Rangers winning the previous two matchups.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Mountain Lions put the No. 17 team in the country to the test on Saturday night by beginning with two three-pointers for their first points of the game as Wyatt Dolberry accounted for the two treys and UCCS' first lead of the game at the 17:26 mark, 6-4.
• Two more ties at a score of 8-8 and 11-11 were quickly registered before Jezza McKenzie drained the team's third three-pointer to push the Mountain Lions ahead 14-11 at the 15:32 mark as UCCS grasped on to the lead for the remainder of the first half.
• UCCS shot an even 50 percent from the field (14-of-28) with Cameron Underwood putting up six points off the bench including a floating made jump shot with just over two minutes left as Dolberry wrapped up the half with two free throws to help maintain the lead over Regis, 36-34.
• After limiting the Rangers to a 38.9 field-goal percentage in the first half, Regis missed their opening two shots of the second half as William Becker recorded the defensive rebound and dished it out to Jon'il Fugett for the first points of the half, 38-34.
• UCCS was able to maintain a two-score game in the following minutes but Regis' Troy Brady answered with back-to-back three-pointers to provide the Rangers with their first lead since the first half, 44-42 at 14:13.
• The Mountain Lions then tied the game minutes later as McKenzie brought in a defensive rebound and sent a full-court pass to a wide-open Geoff Kelly who made an open layup to tie the game 44-44 with 13 minutes left.
• Regis kept riding the hot hand with a made Brady jumper in the next possession as Fugett answered to keep the game tied 46-46 to swing momentum in favor of the Mountain Lions. UCCS worked to a three-point lead at 9:30 after a Becker's fourth block of the game led to an Alijah Comithier layup for a 50-47 lead. UCCS and Regis continued to trade shots as the Mountain Lions upped their lead to four points at 5:55 as Becker sealed his double-double with 10 points off a made layup, 60-56.
• On the other end, Regis' Will Cranston-Low came back quickly to draw and complete the and-one play as the Rangers came within one-point, 59-60. The Mountain Lion then diminished down the stretch as turnovers plagued UCCS with Regis capitalizing and jumping out to a seven-point lead with 1:53 left, 72-65.
• With their backs against the wall, UCCS flipped the switch and went on an 8-2 run as Fugett hit a big three with 53 seconds left to bring the game within one, 73-74. Free throws were then the difference makers as the Rangers made four to result in a 78-74 lead.
• UCCS didn't call it quits as the Ranger lead was slashed to one-point after McKenzie drained a three, but after a quick official review the clock hit zeros and left Regis with the 78-77 win.

STATS FROM THE DAY:
• UCCS held the advantage in field goal percentage and three-point percentage by shooting 49.1 percent (28-of-57) and 29.2 percent (7-of-24), respectively. While Regis shot 41.7 percent (30-of-72) from the field and 22.7 (5-of-22) percent from long range.
• Turnovers hurt the Mountain Lions with a season high 23 as the Rangers registered 23 points off UCCS turnovers. The Rangers gave up nine turnovers but recorded nine steals in the game.
• The Mountain Lions also held the advantage in boards with 42 total rebounds as they held Regis to 32 rebounds.
• UCCS had three double-digit scorers in the game with Alijah Comithier leading all student-athletes with 20 points.
• William Becker notched his first double-double of the season as he hauled in a season and game high 13 rebounds while scoring 10 points. The RMAC leader in blocked shots also recorded an incredible six blocked shots for a new career high.
• Jon'il Fugett netted 17 points Saturday night as he, Wyatt Dolberry, and Jezza McKenzie tied for a game high two made three-pointers.  

BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Mountain Lions held the Rangers to their third lowest field-goal percentage of the season.
• All five of UCCS' losses have been single-digit deficits with the Mountain Lions losing by five or less points in four of their five losses.
• William Becker records his third career double-double as he registers the program's second most blocks in a single game.

UP NEXT:
• UCCS men's basketball will look to bounce back on Friday, Jan. 14 as the Mountain Lions host Adams State University for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.  
 
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.