PUEBLO, Colo. - The No. 15 Regis University men's basketball team (16-2,11-1 RMAC) took on the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves (8-12,5-9 RMAC) Saturday after a thrilling overtime victory over Mesa the night prior. Tonight, Regis was unstoppable on the offensive side of the court as they had their best shooting performance from the field all year long. Four Rangers scored in double-digits as RU dispatched Pueblo, 96-80.
How it Happened: The ThunderWolves were in control for a majority of the first half until graduate student guard Brian Dawson got a pair to tie it (30-30) at the charity stripe with six minutes to go in the first frame. Regis kept their shooting sharp and closed the half with a 44-43 edge over Pueblo, despite the ThunderWolves' being 64 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three.
In the second half, RU inflated their lead to 14 points after junior guard Will Cranston-Lown drained a triple at the 12:37 mark. Pueblo would threaten and even cut the RU lead to just 71-69 after a 15-3 run following Lown's jumper. But the Rangers were not rattled as they matched the Pueblo run by taking off on a 25-13 run of their own to end the game. RU had their largest lead of the night as the clock struck zero (16 points), winning their eleventh conference game of the season.
Game Notes: Regis cashed in at the line by going 19-20 (95%) on free throws.
RU had their best shooting performance so far this season by going 34-54 (63%) from the field.
RU scored 22 points off of 19 Pueblo turnovers. RU committed 16 of their own, but had nine steals in the matchup.
Cranston-Lown (10-14 FG, 5-7 3-PT) smashed his career-high in points by scoring 29.
Graduate student guard Brian Dawson (7-13 FG, 2-5 3-PT) was close behind with a casual 20 points and four boards.
Graduate student guard Troy Brady (4-5 FG, 0-1 3-PT) added 15 while redshirt junior forward Kevin Ebiriekwe (4-9 FG, 1-1 3-PT) was close to a double-double with eight rebounds and 12 points.
Up Next for the Rangers: The Rangers will continue RMAC play when they take on the Colorado Christian Cougars (5-13,2-10 RMAC) this coming Friday. Tip is set for 5 p.m. in Lakewood.
