WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team suffers their first loss of the season, as Midwestern State University hands the Mountain Lions the 93-75 road defeat.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 75, MSU 93
- Records: UCCS (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) | MSU (2-0, 0-0 LSC)
- Facility | Location: MSU D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions own at 3-1 record in the all-time series vs. Midwestern State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was all UCCS early as the Mountain Lions dropped three out of their first five shots which included three pointers from both Noah Baca and Xavier Martinez, with the Mustangs only able to flush one field goal out of their own first five attempts. As the media timeout whistle sounded four minutes into the game, the Mountain Lions gathered at the bench with a comfortable and commanding 11-2 lead. The Mustangs drew up a plan during the timeout that led to nine unanswered to tie it at 11, but UCCS responded with a five-point run of their own, to go back up 16-11.
- The Mustangs would improve their shooting down the stretch in the first half, and with UCCS leading 32-30, MSU's Will Sheperd buried a triple to grab the lead for the home team. Mason Gibson would follow up with a fast break layup after the Mountain Lions couldn't score and was fouled by Mountain Lion big man Will Becker for the and one. Gibson converted on the three-point play, and UCCS found themselves down, 36-32 with a minute to play. After the inbound, a mixed up MSU defense left Shareef Jaudon open at the top of the arc, and the redshirt freshman nailed the three-pointer to cut the lead to one. Time would run out without another score, as UCCS hit the locker room for halftime down a point for the second consecutive night.
- The Mustangs came out of the break on a mission, with Midwestern State hitting four straight field goals, to take a 50-45 lead with 15:30 to go and a media break interrupting play. Out of the timeout the Mountain Lions were finally able to get a stop, and Xavier Martinez hit a driving layup to grab some momentum back for UCCS.
- The Mountain Lions would finally move in front with ten minutes to play after the Mustangs went 4:30 without a field goal. A corner three from Hannes Saar tied the game at 56 apiece. Then, on the next Mountain Lion possession, Xavier Martinez found Jesse Iweze under the basket for the layup, putting the Mountain Lions up for the first time in the second frame. The run woke up the Mustangs as they responded with five straight over the following two minutes, going back in front 61-58.
- In the final seven minutes it was all Midwestern State, with the Mustangs draining a stunning 30 points, led by sophomore Mason Gibson who ended up with 27 points on his own. Shooting an impressive 61.3 percent in the second half, the Mustangs out pace the Mountain Lions earning the 93-75 win.
GAME STATISTICS
- Both teams shot 36 percent in the first half of play, with the Mustang's hitting 11 free throws to the Mountain Lion's 10, giving the home squad the one-point advantage at the half.
- The Mountain Lions struggled offensively only shooting 34.5 percent from the field, though freshman Xavier Martinez had a solid day leading UCCS with 21 points.
- Five Mustangs scored in the double digits in the game, with Mason Gibson leading all scorers on both sides with 27.
- Ball security was an issue for UCCS, with the Mountain Lions losing a staggering 19 turnovers.
- Both teams wrestled out 38 rebounds, both with nine offensive boards, and both with 29 defensive boards.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Midwestern State defeated the Mountain Lions for the first time, with UCCS winning the first three games between the two programs.
- First time since the 2020-2021 season that UCCS hasn't started the season 2-0.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will play their home opener on Thursday against Northern New Mexico, tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at Gallogly Events Center.
SOCIAL
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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.
