LAS VEGAS, N.M. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball can't complete the comeback in New Mexico, falling 94-79 to the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
Final: UCCS 79, NMHU 94
Records: UCCS 10-7 (5-4 RMAC), NMHU 7-13 (5-4 RMAC)
Location: John A. Wilson Complex | Las Vegas, N.M.
Series: The Mountain Lions slide to 28-26 all-time vs. the Cowboys.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cowboys came out and sucker punched the Mountain Lions to begin the game, scoring 11 before UCCS was able to find their first bucket. The Cowboys kept up the momentum, building a lead that grew to as much as 23 thirteen minutes and fourteen seconds into the action. UCCS hit just three of thirteen shots from the field during that time.
- UCCS began to hit their stride in the final six minutes of the game, despite the startling start. The Mountain Lions were able to hit four of their last nine attempts of the half, earning ten free throws over the last 6:27 of the first half, converting seven of them to complete a 17-6 run into halftime. Though they still had a mountain to climb, UCCS trimmed the deficit to a manageable 12 points at the intermission.
- The Mountain Lions continued to chip away at the Highlands lead out of the halftime break, as UCCS was able to shave the margin to seven just 91 seconds into the half. UCCS would keep up the effort, hanging in as they got within four with 10:39 to go in the game. Gavin Carter was the catalyst for UCCS during the stretch, scoring ten since the break to help UCCS to get within a possession.
- Despite the effort, UCCS began to lose pace in the final ten minutes of the second half. Highlands began to build their lead once again, as UCCS found themselves in foul trouble in the final minutes. The Cowboys capitalized on the drop in Mountain Lion momentum as they grabbed the convincing home victory 94-79 over UCCS.
STATS FROM THE DAY
- Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq led the Mountain Lions with 17 points, going 2-2 from three-point range.
- Mario Williams Jr. was nearly perfect from the foul line, hitting 6-7 free throws.
- Gavin Carter swiped three steals while adding 15 points on 6-9 from the field.
BEYOND THE BOX
- Xavier Martinez's night ended early as he fouled out for the first time this season, just the fourth time in his career that he has been disqualified on fouls.
- UCCS failed to reach the 80-point threshold for just the second time this season, with the first being at home vs CSU Pueblo on January 8th.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions continue the road trip on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they take on Fort Lewis College in Durango.
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.
