DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Men's Basketball team suffered a 76-71 loss at home on Saturday afternoon to St. Martin's University (Wash.), who was ranked #17 in the most recent NABC Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Rangers fall to 2-4 on the year, while the Saints improve to 9-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Saints would score the first six points of the game, before Chi Achara's jumper assisted by Trey Bryant got the Ranges on the board. Bryant then hit a three of his own, but St. Martin's added to their lead, 13-5. Kobe Sanders scored on a layup assisted by Jalen Page, then found Eddy Egun for a triple to bring the game within one at 10:31, and a three from Aaron Ofstun gave Regis their first lead of the game, 23-21. Egun converted an and-one layup that started a 14-3 run to end that half that included threes from Jalen Brown and Chase Mayo Harmon, as well as an and-one by Jalen Page to give RU the 42-34 advantage going into the break.

Brown started the second half with a layup, and a dunk from Mayo Harmon and three from Ty Cox helped Regis hold on to a strong lead. After Bryant hit from deep and Achara finished an and-one, SMU went on a 17-0 run over four minutes until a pair of free throws from Mayo Harmon ended the streak, RU down, 64-68. Free Throws from Achara helped even the score at 70-70, but the Saints were able to convert better than the Rangers in the final minute, holding on for the 76-71 win.
"We played about 36 minbutes of really good basketabll," said Head Coach Brady Bergeson, "but we struggled with fouls and empty possessions late. We really got outplayed in that span."

GAME NOTES

·        Achara led four Rangers in double digit scoring with 12 points. Bryant added 11, and Sanders and Mayo Harmon each had 10

·        Achara also had seven rebounds, while Bryant had six to go with two blocks

·        Mayo Harmon dished five assists, and Sanders posted four

·        Myles Samules had a game-high 17 points for the saints

·        SMU narrowly outshot the Rangers from the floor, 45% - 42%, and from three, 37% - 35.5%, but Regis had the advantage from the free throw line, 76.5% - 62%

·        St. Martin's also won the rebounding battle, 41-30, and had more points in the paint, 34-18

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to the hardwood on Thursday, December 5 at New Mexico Highlands University.