DENVER, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team finishes their season as they fall in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal 93-90 to Regis University.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 90, RU 93
Records: UCCS (17-12,11-9 RMAC), RU (17-12, 14-6 RMAC)
Facility: Regis Fieldhouse | Denver, Colo.
All-Time Series: Regis extends their win streak vs UCCS to the last seven meetings, and their all-time series advantage to 45-16.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Rangers got things started with a passing play that pulled the Mountain Lions out of their defensive set to free up Kobe Sanders for a triple. After the first basket, UCCS went on the first run of the evening as they pulled out to a seven-point lead at 12-5. UCCS would extend their lead to as much as eight but then stalled out at 17 points as Regis put together a 10-0 run to respond and take a 19-17 lead halfway through the opening period.
- The teams traded blows over the next five minutes with neither team able to get ahead by more than two possessions. At the 3:30 mark, however, Regis began to string together baskets and stops as they built their lead up to twelve at 47-35 with 1:18 to play in the first half. UCCS wouldn't go to the room quietly, however as they scored the final five points of the half, including Xavier Martinez's two-of-three from the free throw line after he was fouled with 0.3 seconds remaining in the half. After the pair of charity stripe makes, UCCS trailed 47-40 as they hit the break.
- The back-and-forth continued as play resumed for the second half, with neither team able to hold on to any momentum for more than a minute or two at a time. Regis found themselves on top eight points at the 14-minute mark, but UCCS would roar back with seven unanswered points to cut the lead to just one. Two minutes later, UCCS was on top by two, as the squads were neck and neck with 10:48 to go in the second half.
- With eight minutes to play Kobe Sanders hit another consequential three to put the Rangers up by a point, as the Mountain Lions were forced to chase down the stretch. As the game was coming to a close, UCCS found themselves trailing by just two with one minute to play, with a trip to the RMAC final four on the line. After the Rangers hit both free throws with 50 seconds to play, Gavin Carter hit a cut in layup, which was followed by a missed three by the Rangers. UCCS, down two with the shot clock dark, kicked it out to the near corner for Jezza McKenzie who head-faked his way into a baseline drive then reversed a layup up and in as the horn sounded. The bucket would count after a review and both teams were knotted at 81 after 40 minutes.
- The Mountain Lions hit the first points of the extra frame, but the overtime period was a tight affair that saw four ties and four lead changes. Ultimately, UCCS would miss at the free throw line, and fail to retrieve rebounds in crunch time, as the Rangers escape the Mountain Lions 93-90 in overtime to advance to the RMAC semifinals.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Gavin Carter and Derik Pranger both shined in the game, each tied for the team lead with 21 points. Pranger was solid from distance as he drained four triples.
- Xavier Martinez who is not a stranger to putting up big point totals, drew extra attention in the absence of William Becker. However, Martinez still made his presence felt via his teammates as he collected seven assists in Denver.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS made their first RMAC tournament in two seasons.
- The Rangers have had the Mountain Lions number as of late, winning the last seven matchups between the two programs.
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.
