SPEARFISH, S.D. – Leading by as many as 13 points in the second half (51-38), the University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team fell to the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State University for the second time this season, dropping a 75-66 decision in Spearfish, S.D. Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: L, 75-66
- Records: UCCS (14-8, 8-6 RMAC) | BHSU (13-9, 9-5 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Young Center | Spearfish, S.D.
- All-Time Series: UCCS moves to 11-18 all-time against the Yellow Jackets, and 4-11 when facing BHSU on their home court.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Black Hills State snagged a 4-0 lead against the Mountain Lions before Will Becker and Derik Pranger teamed up to tie the game, 4-4. Xavier Martinez made it seven straight points for the Mountain Lions with his first points of the afternoon on a three-pointer for a 7-0 black and gold lead. Four more points from Becker pushed UCCS to an 11-6 lead, but the Yellow Jackets battled back and tied the game at 13-all on a Tristan Hurdle three-pointer. Gavin Carter and Jayden Washington came off the bench to net four points as Martinez capped off another 7-0 run by UCCS with a three-pointer.
- BHSU stormed back with their own 7-0 run, tying the game again at 20-20 halfway through the first half. Washington broke the tie with a deep three before the Yellow Jackets regained the lead, 26-25, with 8:14 left in the half after Caelin Hearne netted four straight points. Becker helped extend the Mountain Lions back to five, 31-26 after he was credited with two points off a goaltending play at the rim. The Yellow Jackets wouldn't go away and again came back on a 5-0 run after Hurdle hit his third trey of the game for a 31-31 tie. Both teams traded baskets in the final three minutes of the opening half before Martinez took over. The sophomore guard single-handedly scored the final seven points of the half for UCCS, including a step-back three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Mountain Lions a 42-38 heading into halftime.
- UCCS started the second half on a scoring spree and built their lead to 13 points. With the Mountain Lions starting the half with the opening possession, Martinez drained his fifth three-pointer of the game that sparked a 9-0 run which was capped off by Jezza McKenzie feeding Becker for a dunk, giving UCCS a 51-38 lead at 17:35. The Mountain Lions lead slowly diminished as the home team patiently went on a 12-0 run to bring them within one point of the Mountain Lions, 51-50 at the 12:17 mark. Becker ended a scoring drought and a 0-for-10 field goal performance that lasted more than five minutes when he put a layup in for his 14th point of the game. McKenzie helped the Mountain Lions regain their lead when he found the bottom of the net on a long two-point field goal from the right corner and then proceeded to hit both one-and-one free throws for a 58-54 UCCS advantage.
- McKenzie's field goal at 9:44 in the second half marked the last field goal of the game for UCCS as their final 11 points of the game came from the free line. The home team was able to outscore UCCS 21-8 in the final 8:44 of regulation to secure the season sweep.
GAME STATISTICS
- Martinez led both teams with 21 points, 15 of which came in the first half. He finished the game making 7-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-7 from downtown.
- Becker netted 17 points and was just two rebounds shy of recording his 12th double-double of the season. He was successful on 6-of-8 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws.
- UCCS was out-rebounded, 40-31, but attempted 10 more free throws than BHSU, making 19-of-23 compared to the Yellow Jackets 9-of-13.
- UCCS committed a season-low seven turnovers and added eight steals that led to 17 points.
- Hearne and Hurdle both netted 17 points to lead Black Hills State. Cam Lowe chipped in 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Martinez matched his own season high for most three-pointers in a game by a Mountain Lion (four).
- For only the second time this season, UCCS did not record a block, and the eight blocks against the Mountain Lions were a season-high by an opponent.
- The Mountain Lions were held to a season-low 21 made field goals and their lowest shooting performance of 2024-25 (33.9 percent, 21-of-62).
UP NEXT
- UCCS will play at Colorado State University Pueblo on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
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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.
