SPEARFISH, S.D. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball can't capitalize on big first half lead, as their season comes to an end in the RMAC Quarterfinal with 74-73 loss at Black Hills State.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
Final: UCCS 73, BHSU 74
Records: UCCS 14-11 (9-8 RMAC), REGIS 2-21 (1-16 RMAC)
Location: Donald E. Young Center | Spearfish, S.D.
Series: The Mountain Lions are now 11-21 all-time vs the Yellow Jackets.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions would jump on the Yellow Jackets early in the first half, as would embark on a 9-0 run after giving up the first bucket of the game. UCCS would continue to add to their lead, going up by as much as 11 in the opening minutes at 23-12. Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq would power the push, scoring ten over the first ten minutes to help UCCS get out front.
- UCCS would continue to pull away in the final minutes of the first half, as they outscored the Yellow Jackets 16-13 over the last 8:39 of the first frame. Xavier Martinez led the way during the run, scoring nine points on three buckets and three free throws, as UCCS had a comfortable 15-point advantage at the half.
- Out of the half, the Yellow Jackets responded with a vengeance as they faced the healthy halftime deficit. It was a 4-0 run for the hosts out of the half, which they would continue to cut the lead down to a single possession at 50-47 just seven minutes into the half, out scoring UCCS 19-9 over the first 7:06 of second half action.
- The Mountain Lions tried to keep the top seeded Yellow Jackets at an arm's length in the dying minutes of the second half, but it was clutch shooting from the Black Hills offense that proved to be the difference. After cutting the lead to just one with 3:40 to play, Black Hills would hit back-to-back three pointers, giving them the five point lead at 68-63 with just 1:16 to play. Forced into the foul game, UCCS would fight back to a one-point game and force a turnover with six seconds left to get the front court inbound. The Mountain Lions got it into Xavier Martinez, who couldn't get a clean shot, or draw a foul as Black Hills State completes the comeback to defeat UCCS 74-73 in the RMAC Quarterfinal.
STATS FROM THE DAY
- Xavier Martinez was a force to be reckoned with for UCCS, leading the Mountain Lions with a 28-point performance.
- Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq returned to the line up to score 18 points, going 8-15 from the floor and 2-2 from the line.
- UCCS led for 37:29 of game play.
BEYOND THE BOX
- Xavier Martinez's 28 points set a career high for single game points, as his four made three-pointers tied a career best.
- For the second straight season UCCS sees their season come to an end in the first round of the RMAC tournament.
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.
