DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Men's Basketball team dropped a 76-75 nail bitter at home to Western Colorado University on Saturday evening. The Rangers fall to 5-5 (3-1 RMAC), while the Mountaineers move up to 3-6 (2-2 RMAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Jalen Page found Chase Mayo Harmon on a cut for the first basket of the match, then Page scored four straight points for RU. The Mountaineers would go up 13-11, but Regis responded with another Mayo Harmon layup, and a Trey Bryant and-one to take the 16-13 lead. Jalen Brown then took over the offense, scoring on three straight layups. The Rangers trailed, 26-29 with 5:48 left in the half, but Eddy Egun scored from deep to tie the match, and Quinn Lambert's and-one would be the last points of the half, Regis ahead 27-35.

The squads traded baskets to start the second, with Western taking the lead, 44-42. Kobe Sanders answered with a three, and Mayo Harmon's steal led to a fast break layup. Sanders then grabbed a steal which led to a Jalen Brown dunk on the other end. Chi Achara's jumper gave Regis a seven point lead, the largest of the game, but the Mountaineers took advantage again, 68-67 with 5:54 left in the game. Sanders and Mayo Harmon each hit from deep, but WCU was able to stay close. With five seconds left, Regis led by one, but Amar Rivers caught the inbound pass, and faked out the Rangers, leading to the game-winning layup.
"I thought we showed up ready to play compete today," said Head Coach Brady Bergeson. "However, I do believe the toughest team won tonight. We did not take care of the defensive rebounds or the loose balls and I give Western a lot of credit for that."

GAME NOTES

·        Mayo Harmon had a team-high 17 points, while Trey Anderson led all player with 21

·        Sanders chipped in 15 points and four assists

·        Achara led all players with eight rebounds

·        Regis scored 48 points in the paint, to 42 from Western

·        The Rangers only attempted 10 three-pointers, hitting on four

·        The game saw 13 lead changes and 18 ties

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to action after on Friday, Dec. 20 as they travel to the University of Nebraska-Kearney.