This game recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partner Quality Inn
GUNNISON, Colo. - Western State Colorado University men's basketball earned their first conference victory Saturday night. The Mountaineers defeated Western New Mexico University 63-59, hanging on late in the game.
After taking the lead three minutes into the game, Western (2-6, 1-3 RMAC) maintained control for the next five minutes. It wasn't until the 12 minute mark in the first half that WNMU (0-8, 0-4 RMAC) regained the lead.
Despite getting behind, the Mountaineers made a late first-half charge scoring the final six points of the half. Western and WNMU were tied at 23 during intermission.
A back-and-forth affair ensued in the second half, as neither team could gain a foothold on the other.
The Mustangs cut Western's lead down to just two points with 1:58 remaining. Not to be outdone, Western's
Alex Eddy (Jr., Phoenix, Arizona) hit a three-point shot along the Western bench to give the Mountaineers a solid five point lead.
With the pressure on WNMU to comeback, the Mountaineers made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to thwart the Mustangs' attempts. Western made 16-of-17 free throws in the second half.
Three Mountaineers scored 14 points in the victory.
Dominique Wright (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colorado),
Mason Biddle (Sr., Riverside, California) and Eddy each contributed 14 points.
C.J. Schutt (Jr., Yorkville, Illinois) added 11 more points for Western.
Saturday night's win was the first in Paul Wright Gym for
Bradd Schafer as the Head Coach of his alma mater.
Western continues the season next weekend against rivals Adams State University and Fort Lewis College.
