COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team wins in a close contest against the Metropolitan State University of Denver Roadrunners by a score of 80-73.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: UCCS 80, MSU 73
- Records: UCCS (13-4, 7-3 RMAC) | MSU (6-9, 3-6 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: This was the 63rd matchup between the Mountain Lions and the Roadrunners, with MSU now having a 51-12 record against UCCS all time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Friday nights matchup started out in favor of the Mountain Lions with UCCS having a 5-0 lead as Jezza McKenzie hit a three pointer with the assist coming from Jon'ill Fugett. The Roadrunners responded and both teams traded baskets as the game was tied 10-10 with fifteen minutes left to go in the half.
- MSU Denver controlled a five-point lead late in the first half until Sufyan Elkannan scored five points unanswered that included a three-pointer made and step-back jumper to tie the game at 31 at the 1:28 minute mark. The Roadrunners did maintain control going into the half after a crafty lay-up was made by MSU Denver guard Luke Jones with seconds left resulting in the half time score of 35-33, MSU.
- The start of the second half was much like the first as both teams were neck in neck with neither team budging. The Roadrunners had a 48-47 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the game until Beni Fungula splashed a three that gave the Mountain Lions a lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.
- Despite being down the rest of the way, MSU Denver kept it close but with the help of Jayden Washington, UCCS was able to hold on. Washington went on his own 9-1 run in a 2:30 span late in the half where the freshman hit three three-pointers in a row.
- The game was sealed off when Fungula threw down an emphatic dunk after a full court pass from Mac Stodart making the Mountain Lions lead 78-70 with nine seconds remaining and eventually holding on to secure the win.
GAME STATISTICS
- William Becker recorded his fourth double-double of the season as he posted 15 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-6 shooting.
- Beni Fungula led the game in overall points and assists as he recorded 18 points and 4 assists.
- Despite the Mountain Lions win, MSU Denver led the game in points in the paint (46-24), second chance points (18-13), fast break points (17-11), and bench points (40-30).
- The balance of the game was flipped often as there was 14 lead changes and 12 times the game was tied. UCCS did maintain the lead for the majority of the game (22:11) compared to MSU Denver time with the lead (9:42).
- Washington was on fire from three as he hit 4-of-6 from three resulting in his 13 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Washington's four three pointers made ties a season high, and his 13 points total is the second most he's scored in a game to this point.
- After only scoring 33 points in the first half, the Mountain Lions offense clicked in the second as they scored 47 points as they shot 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from three.
- Fungula and Washington scored a combine 25 points in the second half in route to the close win over the Roadrunners.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions next matchup comes against No. 6 Colorado School of Mines Saturday night, January 14th at 7 p.m. at Gallogly Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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.
