Box Score Lawton, Okla. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team kicked off the 2023-2024 season in Lawton, Oklahoma Friday night, defeating the Cameron University Aggies 67-65.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP

• Final Score: UCCS 67, Cameron 65
• Records: UCCS (1-0, 0-0 RMAC) | CU (0-1, 0-0 LSC)
• Facility | Location: CU Aggie Gym | Lawton, Oklahoma
• All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions and Aggies have now squared off for three straight seasons, UCCS has won all five match ups between the two programs.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half started out in back in forth fashion, with both teams struggling to sustain momentum. The Aggies were able to get the first offensive traction going on a 8-0 run, but UCCS was able to come back with an 11-0 run of their own to bring the score to 20-13 with just under 10 minutes to play in the first frame. Free throws finally broke the scoring streak for the Mountain Lions, but UCCS controlled play.
• The Aggies were able to grab the lead back in the final two minutes of the first half after more back and forth basketball. The Mountain Lions had an opportunity to pull away, but two offensive foul turnovers halted UCCS' efforts, with Cameron taking a 32-31 lead into the locker room at the half.
• The Mountain Lions jumped out to a small four-point lead at 44-40, but quickly found themselves in foul trouble as the second half got underway. Luckily, the early lack of discipline didn't come back to haunt UCCS as Cameron struggled from the free throw line all night.
• Cameron chipped away as the second half progressed, but UCCS was to be able to keep the Aggies at arms reach until the final minute. With just over 40 seconds to play freshman point guard Xavier Martinez was called for an offensive foul with UCCS only ahead 65-63, and the Aggies would take the ball, run the floor and score to tie it. With less than a half minute to play and the ball, junior transfer Hannes Saar drove to the basket, his left-handed layup was blocked, and Jezza McKenzie's put back would miss, but William Becker's secondary put back tip would fall, to put UCCS up 67-65. The Aggies rushed their final possession, but could not score, with the Mountain Lions starting the season with a victory in Lawton.

               
GAME STATISTICS

• There were no official stats available for this game.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Mountain Lions have never lost a game to the Aggies, with UCCS improving to 5-0 all-time vs Cameron University.
• Third straight season UCCS has begun 1-0, second straight year they have won their opening game against Cameron.
• Head Coach Jeff Culver owns a 7-5 record in season openers since arriving at UCCS.

 
UP NEXT

• The Mountain Lions will head to Wichita Falls, Texas to take on Midwestern State University tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. (MT).

 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.