Fort Collins, Colo.: The Regis University men's basketball team gave NCAA Division I Colorado State all it could handle in both teams first exhibition game of the season. Regis led by two at halftime and as many as 10 during the second half before falling to the Rams 70-69.
Jarrett Green hit a three-pointer with just 1:45 into the game to put Regis ahead 5-4; they would stay in the lead for the next 13 minutes and 18 seconds before a dunk by Joe De Ciman gave CSU a 25-24 lead. Kevin Marshall then hit a jumper with 1:16 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 30 before hitting a three-pointer just before the buzzer to put RU ahead 33-31.
The Rangers came out of the break with the upper hand again and led for the majority of the half. RU led by as many as nine points before two free throws by J.J. Avila tied the score at 49 with 11:27 left in the game.
Regis responded with eight straight points and saw their lead balloon to as many as 10 points with just under four minutes left in the game. The Rams then started chipping away at the lead and held Regis scoreless for over two minutes. CSU cut the lead to one with just 52 seconds left when Jon Octeus hit 1-of-2 at the free throw line. Mike MacKelvie missed a jumper with 27 seconds setting up an exciting finish.
Avila made a layup with just 13 seconds left to give CSU their first lead of the second half at 70-69. Regis called a timeout and ran a play for Jarrett Green who got a good look at a shot but couldn't get it to fall. Joseph Bodman got the offensive rebound but RU was unable to get a shot at the basket before time ran out.
Marshall led all Rangers with 17 points with Green contributing 13. Spenser Reeb came off the bench to supply 12 points, while MacKelvie chipped in with 11. Jon Conley came off the bench to grab a team-high six rebounds, while Joseph Bodman had five rebounds to go along with seven points.
The Rangers had just 10 turnovers and were only out-rebounded 35-29. RU shot 49.0 percent from the field but left a few points at the line connecting on just 12-of-20 at the charity stripe.
Regis will travel south to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
