COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs made it rain from three in Gallogly Events Center on Friday night, shooting 14-of-32 (43.8 percent) as the Mountain Lions win in a dominate second half against the Cameron University Aggies, 92-77.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: UCCS 92, CU 77
- Records: UCCS (1-0, 0-0 RMAC) | CU (0-1, 0-0 LSC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS moves to 4-0 all time against Cameron University
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a start of both teams trading buckets and leads, the Aggies caught fire and took a commanding lead after nine minutes of play, up 26-11 with 11:20 remaining in the first half.
- The Mountain Lions responded with their own run in about a nine-minute stretch outscoring the Aggies 24-15, that was capped off by a big three-pointer by Sufyan Elkannan, assisted by Beni Fungula, to cut CU's lead down to four points (39-35).
- After a few more buckets back and forth, the Mountain Lions were down 45-42 going into the half after being down as many as 16 points to a tough CU squad.
- UCCS started the second half hot, taking the lead on a spectacular two-handed jam by William Becker, assisted by Fungula, making the score 50-48. This was the last time that the teams traded the lead with each other.
- The Mountain Lions found their stride as they went on a 17-6 run in an eight minute and 53 second span, collecting six steals, creating fast break opportunities that included a Jon'il Fugett three-pointer that was assisted by Jezza McKenzie who lead the team in assists with six.
- From then on, the Mountain Lions didn't look back and led the game by 20 points at the 4:14 mark in the game, after Elkannan nailed a three to score his 15th and final points of his night.
- With 52 seconds left to go in the game, Noah Baca capped off the dominate second half effort with a three pointer in the corner, solidifying the Mountain Lions first win of the season.
GAME STATISTICS
- UCCS shot an impressive 14-of-32 (43.8 percent) from the three-point line, shooting 31-of-65 (47.7 percent) overall from the field.
- The Mountain Lions caused a lot of chaos for the Aggies as they force CU to commit 24 turnovers and only commit 12 themselves.
- Fugett led the team in scoring going 4-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from the three-point line resulting in 17 points overall, adding six assists as well.
- The Mountain Lions took advantage of the Aggies turnovers, scoring 31 points from them and only allowing CU to score 10 points off of their turnovers.
- Elkannan finished third on the team in scoring, with 15 points off the bench going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-7 from the three-point line.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Mountain Lions start their season off 1-0 with this convincing win over the Aggies.
- UCCS' defense took a big step in the second half, allowing only 32 points on 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) shooting from the Aggies, compared to the 45 points and 18-27 (66.7 percent) shooting that they let up in the first half.
- Tonight's win was the 160th win of head coach Jeff Culvers career with UCCS.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will host Midwestern State University, Saturday November 12th at 7 p.m. at Gallogly Events Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
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.
