SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team wins their first game of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, prevailing over Westminster University 61-53 to earn the road weekend split.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final Score: UCCS 61, WU 53
- Records: UCCS (5-5, 1-3 RMAC) | WU (4-6, 0-4 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Behnken Field House | Salt Lake City, Utah
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions hold a 7-4 record vs the Griffins in eleven total meetings between the two programs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- For the second straight night the Mountain Lions opened the scoring from the free throw line, as Jesse Iweze hit one of two, followed by a Xavier Martinez layup to grab a 3-0 lead for the Mountain Lions. The Griffins would respond with a three-point shot from Tyler Kurtz, but again it was Xavier Martinez who buried a three of his own and UCCS was back in front.
- Three of the next four baskets for UCCS were triples and the Mountain Lions forced a timeout from Westminster with 12:28 remaining in the opening half. As play resumed the Mountain Lions offense went right back to work with Martinez driving the basket for two and James Ellis dropping another triple to push the lead to 15 at 22-7.
- The Griffins pulled the momentum back their way over the next few minutes, going on a 10-6 run, bringing the score to 28-17 as the clock dropped under three minutes. UCCS and Westminster would trade baskets in the dying moments of the first frame, with UCCS holding a comfortable 13-point lead at the half for the second game in as many days.
- Learning from their experience in Grand Junction 24 hours prior, UCCS stayed on the gas as they came out in the second half. The Griffins would not go down quietly, however, effectively trading baskets with UCCS in early going of the second.
- With under ten minutes to play, the Griffins began to chip away at the visitors lead, with the Mountain Lions offense cooling off a touch. A three from Trey Wood with 4:47 to play cut the lead for UCCS down to just two at 51-49 as UCCS was scoreless for the prior three minutes.
- Clutch free throws from Hannes Saar restored UCCS to a multi-possession lead at 53-49, forcing the Griffins into the foul game as the clock winded down. UCCS made the necessary shots in the final two minutes, and earned their first conference win of the season.
GAME STATISTICS
- UCCS was outscored in the second half for the second straight game, as Westminster scored 34 to the Mountain Lions 29 in the latter 20 minutes. Fortunately, UCCS was able to keep pace enough to maintain their lead.
- Xavier Martinez leads UCCS' offense once again with 15 points, which also led all scorers. The Griffins top point getter was Pierce Sterling who had 14 for the home side.
- Jesse Iweze cleaned up the boards, being the only player with double digit rebounds, totaling 13.
- Three point shooting was a big factor in Salt Lake, with UCCS hitting 32.3% of their long range shots, as Westminster only shot 18.8% from beyond the arc.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS has won six of their last seven meetings with the Griffins, and three of their last four in Salt Lake.
- This is the first time this season that UCCS has held their opponent to under 60 points. The previous low mark for points allowed this year was 64 vs Northern New Mexico on November 16th.
- The Mountain Lions are now 2-2 on the road as the away team, they hold a 4-2 record away from home overall including neutral site contests.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will continue their season long road trip next weekend on Saturday at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colo. at 4 p.m. before heading to Chadron State College in Nebraska on Sunday for another 4 p.m. start.
SOCIAL
Twitter -
@GoMountainLions
Instagram -
@gomountainlions
Facebook –
/GoMountainLions
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.
