COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team overcomes their slow start to beat the Bethany College Swedes 85-70 in their final bout of 2024.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 85, BC 70
Records: UCCS (7-4, 2-2 RMAC), BC (5-8, 2-5 KCAC)
Facility: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: Friday afternoon's game was the second meeting between UCCS and Bethany College with the first being played on November 21
st, 1994. UCCS is 2-0 in the two matchups.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams struggled to finish their chances in the opening minutes of the game, as the first ten possessions of the game resulted in either missed shots or turnovers. The first point of the contest was scored at the 18:02 mark on Will Dominguez's second free throw attempt almost two whole minutes into the game.
- Over the next eight minutes of action, Bethany went on a 16-14 run over UCCS leading by as much as eight points at 10-2, but UCCS began to find their offensive rhythm midway through the first half as they knotted the game at 16 with 9:48 to play on a Gavin Carter layup.
- After UCCS tied it at 16, they did not look back for the remainder of the opening half. The Mountain Lions scored ten unanswered to build the lead to 26-16 after tying the game, which allowed UCCS to keep the Swedes at arm's length into the halftime break. Led by William Becker's 13 point first half, UCCS took the 35-28 lead to the locker room at the half.
- For the first eight minutes of the second half, both teams traded baskets, as they made their way up and down the floor with good pace after the intermission. With 12:44 left in the game, UCCS looked in control leading by 12 at 53-12, however, their offense cooled off as they went the next 3:14 without scoring, sending Bethany on a 9-0 run to battle back to a three point game at 53-50. William Becker's layup with 9:08 to go broke the slide, and UCCS didn't relinquish their lead for the remainder of the contest. With Becker and Derik Pranger each knocking down 10 points in that final 9:22 to play, UCCS cruised to a 85-70 victory to finish their 2024 schedule and head into the holiday break with on a high.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- After shooting just 38.9% in the first twenty minutes, UCCS responded with a scorching 60% from the floor in the second half to pull away from the Swedes.
- UCCS did a fine job of staying out of foul trouble as they were whistled for just seven fouls while drawing 21 fouls from the Swedes.
- William Becker dropped 29 points to lead the Mountain Lions to the win, his highest total of the season.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- William Becker's 29 points, 13 field goals and 21 attempts all were the highest single game totals of their respective categories by UCCS players this season.
- UCCS finishes 2024 going 14-13 during the calendar year between the end of the 2023-24 season and the first half of the current campaign.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
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.
