GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University men's basketball team fell short in its first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game of the season, 87-84, against Colorado State University Pueblo Friday evening in Paul Wright gymnasium. The team heads to New Mexico next weekend to take on New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico University.
 
The started out quick for the ThunderWolves (5-2, 1-0 RMAC) taking an eleven point lead in the first half, the largest of the game. The Mountaineers (1-6, 0-1 RMAC) fought back to make the game a six point game at halftime. After the break, Western State clawed back, taking back the lead at 64-63. CSU-Pueblo responded back, and the teams traded leads and runs to keep the game close up until the final minute. Ben Beauchamp scored three of his game-high 22 points with a game-tying shot from downtown with 17 seconds remaining. After being fouled, CSU-Pueblo's guard Will Newman, 15 total points, sank both shots to seal the win for the Pack.
 
Beauchamp's 22 points was a season-best, making six shots from beyond the arc and over half his attempts from downtown. Will Duggan had a brilliant game, making artistic ball handling moves and dishing out 10 assists. Three other Mountaineers had double digit points. Danny Hopkins and Robert Romero each had 16 points, while Tom Folsom added a dozen down low.
 
Defensively, Hopkins tore down a game-high seven boards. Folsom added six and Duggan had five. Duggan also led all players with three steals.
 
The Mountaineers shot well from the field, including a 60 percent team shooting performance in the second half. Overall Western outshot CSU-Pueblo 54 percent to 49, including 40 percent from beyond the arc and 84 percent from the line. The team also dominated the paint, scoring 46 points down low compared to their opponents 30.