DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University men's basketball team (7-11, 5-7 RMAC) returned to Denver this weekend after two weekends spent on the road. On Friday night, Regis matched up with Colorado Mesa University (12-6, 8-4 RMAC) and took a hard fought loss 105-80.

In the opening half of play, sophomore Dexter Sienko propelled the Rangers, scoring ten points and collecting four rebounds. Opposite of Sienko was the heavily-favored conference player of the year in Ryan Stephan.

RU spent a majority of their time attempting to stop the conferences' leading scorer, but Stephan still managed to put up 12 points and grab 12 rebounds in the first half. Freshman Jarrett Brodbeck added eight points, and freshman Ryan Beisty chipped in with six heading into the break down 30-43. 

In the second half, Beisty continued to shoot well, knocking down two shots from beyond the arc. Regis connected on eight three-pointers in the second half, and chipped into the CMU lead bringing the Rangers within ten points on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, Stephan was too much for the Rangers. The center finished the game with 33 points and tracked down 21 rebounds in one of the best all-around performances of the year. 

The Rangers battled hard in the first half, but the Mavericks exploded in the second half to take the game 105-80. As a team RU shot 41.5 percent from the field, including 12-33 from the three-point line. Regis had a great night at the charity stripe going 14-17 from the line. Beisty led all Rangers with 18 points, followed closely by Brodbeck who added 17. Beisty collected a team-high eight rebounds, while Sienko, junior Noah King, and junior Elijah Sanders chipped in four apiece.

The men's basketball team will look to get back on track as they welcome Westminster College (8-7, 4-7 RMAC) to the Regis Fieldhouse tomorrow night. The Rangers will also be hosting their annual Alumni Night on Saturday night as they take on the Griffins. To RSVP, please contact Assistant Coach Kenny Tripp at ktripp@regis.edu so that we have a headcount for both tickets and dinner (admission will be free with an RSVP).