Box Score SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team sweeps the holiday weekend in Salt Lake, earning the narrow 74-68 over the Justice College Lions.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP

• Final Score: UCCS 74, Justice College 68
• Records: UCCS (4-2, 0-0 RMAC) | JC (0-2)
• Facility | Location: WU Behnken Field House | Salt Lake City, Utah
• All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions and Lions faced off for the first time this afternoon.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mountain Lions came out firing on Saturday after a slow start a day earlier, taking a 12-4 lead as the whistle blew for the first time out four minutes in. The run was capped off by a catch and shoot three from Mac Stodart after a nice feed from Jezza McKenzie to earn the eight-point advantage for UCCS.
• Over the next ten minutes Justice College would battle back into contention, led by David Stallworth who made his presents known both with offensive pressure, and off the glass, gathering in several defensive rebounds to keep the Mountain Lions from second chance opportunities. With six minutes to play in the half, Justice College found themselves within a point at 24-23. UCCS would get back to their scoring ways after Justice closed the gap, going on a 9-2 run to extend the lead back out to eight. UCCS kept the Lions at arm's length the rest of the period, heading in for halftime with a 40-33 lead.
• The Lions would score the first points of the second half, but UCCS would get the next seven points after that hoop, capturing a twelve point advantage at 47-35 with four minutes gone in the final half. The two teams would then trade baskets for ten minutes, with UCCS keeping there lead around ten, but with six minutes to play, UCCS offense began to sputter.
• A 10-2 run from Justice College would tie the game at 61 all, and UCCS would have to dig deep the last few minutes to come away with the win. A driving layup from freshman guard Xavier Martinez would restore the UCCS lead, and the Mountain Lions would trade blows with the Lions for the next several possessions. With a minute to go, the Mountain Lions held the 68-64 lead as the whistle blew for a timeout.
• The last minute would include several timeouts and numerous trips to the free throw line for both teams, but ultimately UCCS would fend off the last minute push, and escape Justice College 74-68.

               
GAME STATISTICS

• Xavier Martinez led the Mountain Lions scoring for the second straight game, claiming 22 points for UCCS hitting 5 of 9 from the field including 3 of 4 from three point range.
• William Becker made a strong return to the line up after missing Friday's game, scoring 12 while also pulling down 10 rebounds, making it back to back games with Mountain Lion big men earning double-doubles.
• Noah Baca had a strong day shooting the ball, scoring ten behind a 75% shooting percentage from the field, draining his only three-point try and going 3-3 from the charity stripe.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Mountain Lions win the first ever matchup between the two programs.
• UCCS wins back to back games for the first time this season.
• The Mountain Lions now own a 3-1 record away from Gallogly, including a 2-0 record in neutral site games.

 
UP NEXT

• The Mountain Lions will return home next weekend to take on South Dakota Mines for the annual Black Out Night game Friday, at 7 p.m.

 
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.