DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University men's basketball team (7-5, 4-2 RMAC) used a second half rally to take down the Cowboys of New Mexico Highlands University (9-3, 4-2 RMAC) 93-90 on Friday night.

How It Happened: The first half featured back and forth action, with 13 lead changes from the tip-off all the way till the halftime whistle. Neither team was able to create a lead larger than three until the Rangers used a 7-0 run to take a 14-10 advantage with 13:20 left in the opening half. Senior Avonte Nelms got the run started with a three-pointer while layups by freshman Toni Rocak junior Taffy Tela rounded-out the run.

Senior Jarrett Brodbeck nailed a long-range shot of his own to tie the game at 19 apiece with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first. After a couple lead changes, the Cowboys managed to hit back-to-back threes to create a six-point separation. Layups by seniors Ryan Beisty and Jarrett Brodbeck, however, brought RU back within one, 40-39.

Regis regained the lead with 1:44 left on the clock but was unable to hold onto their advantage as the Cowboys made a three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 46-45 edge into the locker room.

The beginning of the second half looked as if the Cowboys had put the game away as they held the Rangers to just four points in the first four minutes. During that time, NMHU scored 16 points and created an 11-point cushion, 62-51.

RU began to chip away at the deficit with 13:47 left in the game. Junior Christian Little made a free-throw to begin a 6-0 Regis run but the Cowboys were able to stretch their advantage back to 10. Tela made back-to-back long-distance shots, creating momentum for the Rangers in the waning minutes of the contest.

A layup by junior Roberto Vercellino kept RU within five with 2:55 on the clock. Regis went on a 4-0 run behind two Vercellino buckets that gave them their first lead of the second half, 91-90.

With 12 second to play, the Cowboys had the last possession and the opportunity to put up a game-winning shot but Brodbeck got a steal that sealed the game for the Rangers, 93-90.

Game Notes: As a team, RU shot 52.6 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from distance. Brodbeck (8-14 FG, 3-8 3PT) led the team with 21 points while four others managed double-digits. Brodbeck was one rebound away from a double-double as he and Beisty tallied nine rebounds apiece. Regis out-rebounded the
Cowboys 40-26.

Up Next for the Rangers: The Regis University men's basketball team will be back on the court tomorrow, January 5 as they host Colorado State University-Pueblo at 7 p.m.