COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team made 27 free throws and scored 30 points off of turnovers to claim a 98-85 victory over Metropolitan State University of Denver.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final: UCCS 98, MSUD 85
- Records: UCCS (10-6, 5-3 RMAC) | MSUD (5-11, 3-5 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS moves to 14-52 in the all-time series against the Roadrunners.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A high-scoring first half featured a three-point shooting percentage of 46.7 percent for the Mountain Lions, as Jezza McKenzie led all players with three shots made from behind the arc. The score remained close for the majority of the first, as UCCS held a 35-29 lead with just over six minutes left to play.
- UCCS would soon take an 11-point lead as McKenzie converted a three-point play after a foul on a layup attempt. McKenzie would go on to score 12 of the Mountain Lions' final 20 points of the first half, as Evan McKean added four of his own. UCCS would go into halftime with a 58-42 lead as the team was fouled 16 times by the Roadrunners and cashed in 19 free throws.
- Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq started the scoring in the second half with two jumpers to extend the UCCS lead to 20. With the score later at 71-54 in favor of the Mountain Lions, MSUD would go on a 10-point run to fall within seven. Four points from Abdur-Razaaq and three from Mario Williams Jr. would extend the lead back to 10 before the Roadrunners went on a five-point run to move within striking distance with just over eight minutes to play.
- A three-point shot from McKenzie would soon spark a 12-4 run in which Brody Hull tallied four points and Derik Pranger contributed two of his own. From there, the Mountain Lions would maintain a comfortable lead as they went on to claim a 98-85 victory.
GAME STATISTICS
- Abdur-Razzaq, Williams Jr., Hull, Pranger, and McKenzie were the five Mountain Lions to finish in double figures on Saturday as McKenzie led the team with 22 points.
- The Mountain Lions finished with 34 rebounds to the Roadrunners' 40 with Abdur-Razaaq and McKenzie leading the team with six.
- The Mountain Lions shot 47.6 percent from the field (30-of-63), 42.3 percent from the three-point line (11-of-26) and 69.2 percent from the free throw line (27-of-39).
- UCCS had 30 points off turnovers, 36 in the paint, 16 from second chances, 31 off fast breaks, and 26 from the bench.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- McKenzie's 22 points were the most that he has scored this season, beating his previous best by eight.
- The Mountain Lions' 27 made free throws were the most they have had this season.
- Abdur-Razaaq's 20 points were the most he has scored this season.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will head to Las Vegas, N.M. on Thursday, January 22nd to take on New Mexico Highlands University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 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.
