N.M. Highlands NMH 8-13,6-9 RMAC

Regis (CO) Regis 10-10,7-7 RMAC

N.M. Highlands NMH

8-13,6-9 RMAC

Final

Jan. 28, 2023

Regis (CO) Regis

10-10,7-7 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
N.M. Highlands NMH	19	57	76
Regis (CO) Regis	40	38	78

Summary
Box Score

Billy Saunders, Regis Athletics

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | Jan 28 | David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

Carter scores a career-high 21, hits the game-winner to lift Rangers over Cowboys

DENVER, Colo. — The Regis University men's basketball team capped its most complete weekend of the 2022-23 season in style on Saturday, netting the game-winning points in the final seconds for the second time in as many nights in a 78-76 victory over New Mexico Highlands University.

Sophomore forward Brayden Carter played hero Saturday as his baby hook in the lane with 0.5 seconds remaining would prove to be the difference for the Rangers (10-10 overall, 7-7 RMAC), who have now won four straight home games to conclude the month of January.

"This was an important win for us because it was the first time we've really put a good Friday and Saturday together," said Regis head men's basketball coach, Brady Bergeson. "In our fight and struggle for consistency, we've been unable to do that and had drop-offs from one night to another. My takeaway from the whole game is how proud I am of the guys for answering that challenge in terms of putting two quality games together."

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Rangers put the visiting Cowboys (8-13 overall, 6-9 RMAC) on their heels early, storming out to a 12-0 lead nearly eight minutes into the contest.

Redshirt junior guard Eddy Egun put the bow on a dominant first half of basketball with a mid-range jumper with two seconds remaining to give Regis a 40-19 lead at the break.

Egun was one of four Rangers in double-figures with 14 points. He, alongside freshmen Vojin Mastilovic and Chase Mayo Harmon, helped spearhead the defensive matchup against NMHU's star Dante Moses, the second leading scorer in the RMAC (23.2 PPG), as Moses was held scoreless in the first half and to just 12 points for the evening.

"We came out really focused and played good basketball early on. We were getting a lot of what we wanted, offensively, and getting No. 0 (Dante Moses) in foul trouble helped us," Bergeson said. "But, obviously, we knew exactly what was coming in the second half. We were prepared as we could be for that run they'd make. But one thing I'll say is; it's very difficult to replicate the sort of length and athleticism (Cowboys) has and the press they can put on you."

New Mexico Highlands would make a furious comeback, taking its first lead of the game at 71-70 with 2:42 remaining, and tying the score again at 76-76 on a long 3-pointer by Tyler Rodgers, to set up the late-night fireworks.

On the ensuing Regis in-bounds, senior forward Aaron Bokol threaded a pass to Carter on the mid-post, who then muscled up the game-winning baby hook with .5 seconds remaining for two of his career-high 21 points Saturday.

"We have a number of guys we trust in late, pressure situations. Tonight, Braydon got the nod and he was the right guy," Bergeson said. "It was a well-executed play, good read by Bokol on the pass, and Brayden came through and found a way to get that ball to drop."

Carter would add seven rebounds and two assists in his 31 minutes, improving on his 18-point, 7-rebound performance Friday in the win over CSU Pueblo.

"We've challenged him and other guys to put these weekend games together. This is part of his maturation process. It's hard to turn around in 22-24 hours and ramp back up and be at your best," Bergeson said of Carter. "Brayden answered the bell."

GAME NOTES:

Graduate student guard David Simental, who hit the game-winning free throws Friday night against CSU Pueblo, finished with 16 points of 7-of-9 shooting.
Senior forward Aaron Bokol was the fourth Ranger in double-figures with 13 points.
Bokol flirted with a triple-double, adding a game-high 12 rebounds and game-high seven assists. Saturday marked his sixth double-double of the season.
Regis finished with a 40-26 advantage in points in the paint.
The Rangers shot a season-high 63.3% (31-for-49) from the field Saturday.

UP NEXT: Regis, currently sitting tied for sixth in the RMAC standings with the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, will now hit the road to begin February with matchups against Colorado Mesa University (7:30 p.m. Friday) and Westminster College (7:00 p.m. Saturday).

Westminster (8-13 overall, 7-8 RMAC) is just a half-game back of the Rangers, while Colorado Mesa (15-4 overall, 10-3 RMAC) currently holds the No. 4 spot.

"There's no tougher test than going to Colorado Mesa and Westminster College. They are two good teams, long and difficult road trips, so we're looking forward to the challenge," Bergeson said. "We'll see what our guys can put on the court next weekend. We'll be going in with some confidence."

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