DENVER, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team can't overcome their first half struggles as they drop their final game of the weekend to MSU Denver 88-81.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 81, MSUD 88
Records: UCCS (10-6, 4-4 RMAC), MSUD (14-2, 8-0 RMAC)
Facility: Massari Arena | Denver, Colo.
All-Time Series: MSU Denver extends their overall record vs UCCS to 13-51 all time, also snapping a six game UCCS win streak against MSU Denver.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions struggled to find the basket early in Denver this afternoon, as they found themselves in a 6-0 hole before scoring their first bucket. The Roadrunners didn't take their foot of the gas, as they extended their lead to 20-11 after ten minutes of play. 5-12 from the floor was the thorn in UCCS' side as play was controlled by the hosts.
- It was more of the same for the Mountain Lions as time ran out in the first half, with UCCS hitting 9-17 from the floor in the final ten minutes of the first. In search of an offensive spark, UCCS entered the locker room facing a 13-point deficit at the break.
- The Mountain Lions came out in the second half of play with a new found energy, as they began to chip away at the Roadrunners advantage. With their new found groove, they outscored MSUD 26-21 over the first 9 minutes of the final half, with Jezza McKenzie leading the charge with nine points.
- The Mountain Lions then powered ahead with a 17-9 run to tie the game at 74-74 with 4:41 to play, erasing a MSU Denver lead that grew to as much as sixteen.
- To the Mountain Lions dismay, the Roadrunners clamped down on defense and responded with a 14-8 run of their own that ate up the rest of the game, as MSU Denver remains perfect in conference play and defeats UCCS 88-81 Saturday afternoon.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Jezza McKenzie led the offense for UCCS as he bagged 24 points for the Mountain Lions.
- William Becker continues to get it done on both ends of the floor finishing with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, just shy of a triple double.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Willliam Becker blocked four Roadrunner shots at Massari Arena, as he surpasses Derrick White to become the UCCS program leader in blocked shots with 139 on his career.
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.
