GUNNISON – In most cases shooting 16 of 30 from beyond the arc will secure a win, but that was not the case Friday evening for Western State Colorado University men's basketball team. Western got into a shootout with Regis University, falling to the Rangers 101-90.
 
In what could be considered the greatest shootout in 2017 thus far, 59 total treys were tossed up, with 31 being drained by both teams. The Mountaineers shot 53 percent from deep, while the Rangers were 15 of 29 for 51 percent. The team also featured 50 free throw attempts, with Western converting 18 of 24 from the line.
 
Ben Beauchamp came out hot for the Mountaineers. In just four minutes Beauchamp was already in double figures. The junior finished the game with 26 points, shooting seven of nine from the field, including five of six from deep and seven-for-seven at the line. He was joined by Collin Smith with 17 and Brady Subart with 14.
 
The other star of the night came from Will Duggan. Duggan recorded his first double-double of the season with a season-high 10 assists to go with his dozen points. Smith was one board shy of a double-double as well.
 
Western shared to ball astonishingly well, assisting on 22 of 28 field goals. In fact, the Mountaineers had 11 assist on their first 12 made buckets. Five Mountaineers had multiple assists, with eight recording at least one.
 
The Rangers were led by Jarrett Brodbeck's 30 points. He was joined by Dexter Sienko, who had a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards. Ryan Beisty also had 19 points, while two other Rangers made it into double digits with 10.
 
The Mountaineers were rallying back in the second half, but with five minutes remaining and a 75-69 score, Brodbeck drained a trey while his teammate was fouled, converting a five-point swing to bring it to 80-69. Both teams continued to battle as things heated up, too much so as three total technical fouls were called in the final five minutes. Unfortunately time worked against Western, as the team ran out trying to overcome the deficit.
 
Western returns to action tomorrow evening against Chadron State College at 7 p.m. The event will also be the Western VIP for a Night, in which individuals can get a taste of being a Mountaineer Athletic Association VIP between the Tracy Borah Duals and the basketball games in Classroom 15.