COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team shot 49.1 percent from the field to take a 74-47 victory over Colorado Christian University.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final: UCCS 74, CCU 47
- Records: UCCS (16-8, 10-6 RMAC) | CCU (10-14, 6-10 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS moves to 26-37 in the all-time series against the Cougars.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions' shots were falling in the first half of Saturday's game as Hannes Saar's opening layup followed by a three pointer from sophomore guard Xavier Martinex quickly gave UCCS a five-point lead that was never lost. The Cougars kept the game close through the first four minutes, holding the Mountain Lions to a two-point lead until three straight threes with one from James Ellis and two by junior forward Jayden Washington gave UCCS a sizable 11-point lead to build off of.
- With a double-digit lead, the Mountain Lions would continue to outscore CCU 19-14 in the final 12 minutes of the first half, with their largest lead stretching to 19 on a driving layup by freshman guard Gavin Carter. UCCS would take a 38-22 lead going into the second half, as they shot 51.9 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range.
- The Mountain Lions picked up right where they left off in the second half and continued to add to their lead, outscoring the Cougars 36-25 in the second half. This half was different however, as UCCS only sank two threes, both by Jezza McKenzie. Despite their lack of three pointers, the Mountain Lions were able to rely on paint scoring, posting 38 points from close range in the second. Carter was the offensive story of the second half, as he kept the pace they wanted throughout the final 20 minutes, recording 11 points with eight coming from the paint and three from the free throw line.
- The UCCS defense was stifling for the CCU offense in the second half of action, holding the Cougars to 25 points and 32 percent shooting from the field while the offense continued to score. The Mountain Lions saw their lead increase to as high as 29 points as their aggressive defensive rebounding left the Cougars with no answers in route to a 74-47 victory for UCCS.
GAME STATISTICS
- Martinez, Saar, McKenzie, and Carter were the four Mountain Lions to finish in double figures on Saturday with Carter leading the team with 17 points.
- The Mountain Lions finished with 35 rebounds to the Cougars' 32 with Becker's eight being the team leader.
- The Mountain Lions shot 49.1 percent from the field (27-of-55), 33.3 percent from the three-point line (8-of-24) and 75 percent from the free throw line (12-of-16).
- UCCS had 18 points off turnovers, 38 in the paint, nine second chance, six off fast breaks, and 29 from the bench.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Saturday evening's game was the first time this season that the Mountain Lions have held an opponent to under 50 points.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will head to ASU Plachy Hall in Alamosa, Colo. on Thursday, Feb. 20 to take on Adams State University with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (MT).
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 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
