SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Regis University men's basketball team (7-9, 5-5 RMAC) is on the road for the second weekend in a row, and on Friday night they matched up with the Western New Mexico Mustangs (0-15, 0-10 RMAC) and earned the road victory 62-54.

Regis came out in the first half looking to find a rhythm. Freshman Jarrett Brodbeck hit his first shot attempt of the night from beyond the arc. Sophomore Dexter Sienko continued his hot streak of league-leading efficient shooting as he knocked down his first four shots of the game putting the Rangers up by as much as four points, 14-10, seven minutes into the first half.

Seven RU turnovers in 15 minutes allowed the Mustangs plenty of opportunities to keep the score close. Regis was able to hunker down and play strong defense leading to many missed shots from WNMU. Junior Elijah Sanders made his impact on both ends of the floor tracking down seven rebounds, and chipping in seven points in the half after Sienko was forced to the bench as he picked up two early fouls. Two made free throws from Sanders gave the Rangers a five-point lead, 21-16 late in the first half.

A few possessions later RU was able to extend the lead to seven, 27-20, as senior Billy Hansen hit his third three pointer of the half, converting all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Regis held a 27-23 lead as both teams headed to the locker rooms to re-group and prepare for the second half of the game. 

The second half began with a layup from Hansen who was also fouled on the play. After Hansen made his free throw, the Mustangs made an 8-2 run to bring them within a single point of the Rangers, 32-31, three minutes into the second half.

As the half continued, RU looked more comfortable and was able to find their shooting touch. Freshman Ryan Beisty connected on a three-pointer that put Regis up nine points with eight minutes remaining.

In the final four minutes of the half, WNMU was able to cut the lead to five, but the Rangers were able to answer with points of their own and kept their lead over Mustangs. Two made free throws from junior Noah King and Sienko on back to back possessions put RU up 62-52 with less than 30 seconds left. The game ended on two made free throws from WNMU bringing the final score to 62-54.

Regis shot 40.8 percent from the field and outrebounded the Mustangs 41-29. The Rangers took 18 free throws and were able to make 13 of them, none more important than the last four from N.King and Sienko, in the closing seconds of the game. Hansen led all RU scorers with 15 points on 5-7 shooting including four three-point buckets. Sienko chipped in with 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Beisty adding ten points and seven rebounds. The best performance of the night came from the Regis defense as they held WNMU to 28.8 percent shooting from the field. 

The men's basketball team will play their second and final game of this New Mexico road trip when they travel to Las Vegas, New Mexico tomorrow night to play the conference leading New Mexico Highlands Cowboys (9-7, 8-2 RMAC) at 7 p.m.