DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Men's Basketball held on for a 73-70 win over Colorado Mesa University on Thursday night. The Rangers move up to 5-4 (3-0 RMAC) on the year, while the Mavericks fall to 4-5 (0-3 RMAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kobe Sanders would set up Trey Bryant and Jalen Page for a pair of baskets to start the game, then hit a three of hit own to tie the game at 9-9. Sanders continued to lead the offense, setting up a Jalen Brown layup and hit another triple. After Quinn Lambert hit a jumper, Eddy Egun scored from deep, then blocked a Maverick jumper, leading to another Lambert basket. The Rangers scored the last seven points of the half including a Bryant layup following and Egun steal, leading 36-25.
The Mavs cut the lead to just four quickly, but Sanders converted an and-one and Brown threw down a dunk to keep CMU at bay. Cox and Page hit back-to-back threes to put RU ahead 65-56 with 7:18 left in the game. Chase Mayo Harmon's dunk extended the lead to 70-59, but Mesa responded with an 11-1 scoring run. CMU had the ball, down one with nine seconds left, but Egun put away the game, blocking Harvey White's game-winning attempt, grabbing the rebound, and hitting two free throws.
"It is always good to find a way to win a close game," said Head Coach Brady Bergeson. "I thought we showed poise down the back stretch, even though it was a struggle at times. I am proud of our guys for doing enough of the dirty work to get the win, and we know we have a great deal of room for growth."
GAME NOTES
· Sanders led the Rangers with 15 points and seven assists, accounting for 32 total points
· Will Mortimore had a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks
· Egun posted 13 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks
· RU outshot CMU from the floor, 44% - 41%, and from deep, 366% - 21%
· Regis also grabbed more rebounds, 34-32, but committed more turnovers, 17-12
UP NEXT
The Rangers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 12, hosting Western Colorado.
