KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team win their first road game of the season as they defeated Pittsburgh State University (Kan.) 91-83 in Kansas City.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 91, PSU 83
Records: UCCS (2-1, 0-0 RMAC), PSU (1-2, 0-0 MIAA)
Facility: Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, Mo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions get their first program win over the Gorillas, with the first two games being played in 1992, and 2003.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first ten minutes featured back and forth scoring from the Gorillas and Mountain Lions with six lead changes during that stretch. Pitt State went 8-16 from the field in the first ten, shooting 2-5 from three. UCCS was just shy of PSU shooting 7-15 from the field with no triples trailing 21-15 after those first ten minutes.
- Down the stretch of the first half UCCS wrestled the lead back, led by Derik Pranger and Xavier Martinez who combined for 15 points in the final ten of the first half. The Mountain Lions dialed in from distance during that push dropping 5-11 from deep to take a 44-39 lead to the locker room.
- As the second half got underway, UCCS was able to continue their momentum, keeping the Gorillas at arm's length to the half way point of the second frame. UCCS, this time, was led by Hannes Saar's seven points, with seven Mountain Lions scoring points to start the latter half.
- As the game ticked out, UCCS would not relinquish its lead. The Mountain Lions outscored the hosts 22-21 in the final ten minutes, with six different players finding the basket down the stretch. UCCS capped off the effort by sinking their free throws as the Gorillas resorted to the foul game, defeating Pitt State 91-83 in Kansas City.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- The Mountain Lions had six different scorers in double figures as William Becker (15), Xavier Martinez (15), Derik Pranger (14), Jesse Iweze (14), Hannes Saar (14), and Jezza Mckenzie (11) all finished in double digits.
- William Becker (15 pts, 10 Reb) grabs the first UCCS double-double of the season.
- The Mountain Lions turned the ball over seven times, besting the Gorillas mark of 10 giveaways.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS set single game team highs in points (91), field goals made (28), three pointers made (7), free throws made (28), and assists (13).
- William Becker has scored double figures in all three contests for UCCS to start the season.
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.
