GUNNISON – In a wild free throw shootout, rebounds and paint game were the difference between victory and defeat. Western State Colorado University men's basketball team fell Friday evening to the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 91-89. The team will look to bounce back against MSU-Denver tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gymnasium.
 
In a game where Western made more free throws than shots from the field, the paint and second chance points were the main factor. Western was outscored 50 to 28 in the paint, much of which came off of second chance points (21 to seven). The Mountaineers were outrebounded 55 to 32, including surrendering 22 offensive boards.
 
Despite the sorrows, the main scorers for Western had a show. Ben Beauchamp continued to prove he is one of the best home court scorers in the conference, putting up 27 points. The junior was six of 15 from the field, as well as making it to the foul line 20 times where he converted 14 shots.
 
Joining Beauchamp was Collin Smith with 19 and Brady Subart with 18. Smith was five of 12 from the field, sinking three treys. He was also six-for-six from the charity stripe. Subart was six of 11 from the field, sinking an additional three 3-pointers and was three-for-three from the foul line.
 
Defensively, Monroe Porter pulled down eight boards, and was joined by Smith with six. Porter also had a team-high four assists.
 
A total of 57 fouls were called in the game, with both teams making it to the line 39 or more times. Poor shooting haunted both teams, as UCCS was 30 of 70 from the field, including three of 16 from deep. Western was 25 of 61, sinking nine of 31 attempts from beyond the arc.