COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team shot 48.3 percent from three-point range to lock up a 92-80 victory over Colorado Mesa University.
 
INSIDE THE MATCH UP

• Final: UCCS 92, CMU 80
• Records: UCCS (4-3, 1-0 RMAC) | CMU (3-4, 0-1 RMAC)
• Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
• All-Time Series: UCCS moves to 13-45 in the all-time series against the Mavericks. 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mountain Lions shot the ball well in the first half of Thursday night's matchup, as they went 50 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. Senior Jezza McKenzie opened the scoring for UCCS with a three followed by a three-point play to take a 6-5 lead. The Mountain Lions would then go on a 9-1 run starting with a three from sophomore guard Mario Williams Jr. and capped with a Brody Hull layup.
• Close to halfway through the first half, sophomore Gavin Carter made a quick impact off the bench as he converted a three-point play and sink a driving layup on the next possession as UCCS took a 24-16 lead. From there, the Mountain Lions went on another sizable run where Alex Hurr cashed in a couple of threes of his own to take a 43-23 lead.  UCCS would hold onto its commanding lead for the remainder of the half to head into the second up 57-39.
• The Mountain Lions' shooting percentages took a slight hit in the second half, as they shot 38.7 percent from the field. Despite their field goal percentage dropping, the team shot 53.3 percent from three, making eight to help maintain the lead. McKenzie once again opened the scoring for UCCS with a three as Williams Jr. hit one of his own a few possessions later. These two would tie for the top scorers for UCCS with eight points in the second half, as Xavier Martinez matched them after being shutout in the first. The Mountain Lions ultimately held control of the game to take a 92-80 victory.

GAME STATISTICS

• Carter, McKenzie, Hurr, Williams Jr., and Hull were the five Mountain Lions to finish in double figures on Thursday with Carter and McKenzie leading the team with 14 points.
• The Mountain Lions finished with 43 rebounds to the Mavericks' 46 with Marzouq Abdur-Razzaq's eight being the team leader.
• The Mountain Lions shot 45.2 percent from the field (33-of-73), 48.3 percent from the three-point line (14-of-29) and 80 percent from the free throw line (12-of-15).
• UCCS had 15 points off turnovers, 36 in the paint, 24 from second chances, 16 off fast breaks, and 38 from the bench.

           
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Mountain Lions' 92 points were the most the team has scored in a single game this season.
• McKenzie's three made three pointers were the most that he has had in a game this season.
• Carter's team-leading 14 points were the most that he has tallied in a game this season.

UP NEXT

• The Mountain Lions will play their next game at home on Saturday, December 6, as they take on Westminster University with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.