GUNNISON, Colo. – The Western men's basketball team dropped a double over-time thriller to Midwestern State University 123-121 to close out the Comfort Inn Classic. Ben Beauchamp put up a game high 46 points in the effort, but the Mountaineers still could not overcome the Mustangs.
 
In a run and gun game from the opening minutes, Western (1-3, 0-0 RMAC) shot 44% from the field but were countered by a Midwestern State (1-3, 0-0 LSC) team that took down 50% of its shots. With 24 total lead changes in the game, it was a basket-for-basket affair down the stretch after Midwestern State lead by as many as 15 points in the first half.
 
While Beauchamp led Western with a dominant 46 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, four other Mountaineers also put up double digit points on the night. Brady Subart dropped 16 points, going 2-5 from 3-point to help the Mountaineers with clutch baskets.
 
After going down 31-16 at the 8:31 mark of the first half, the Mountaineers got hot scoring 11 unanswered points and holding the Mustangs scoreless for four minutes of play. In the stretch, Monroe Porter was essential, scoring 6 points and forcing a turnover. A three-point basket from Midwestern State finally ended the drought, but the route was off and the Mountaineers were on as they closed out the half down 43-45.
 
In the second half, Beauchamp began to heat up as both teams traded baskets. With 6:48 remaining in regulation, Beauchamp hit a 3-point basket to tie the game 78-78.
 
With 38 seconds remaining in regulation, Brady Subart hit two free throws to push Western into the lead 95-94, but it would not be enough as the Midwestern State defense and a Brandan Neel free throw were enough to force overtime.
 
During overtime, Beauchamp was dominant, scoring 16 of his 46 points. Trading points through the first overtime segment, the Mountaineers had a chance to win it on a Beauchamp half-court shot that drew front iron as time expired.
 
In the second overtime neither team could be hampered by the officials or reviews at the table. The final five minutes saw two lead changes and four ties before Branden Cosby Lee made a crucial put-back after a missed three-pointer. With the game netted at 121 a piece and 25 seconds on the clock, Midwestern State took possession and hit a jumper to take the lead 123-121. A final one-third court heave from Brady Subart found the back of the rim, but would not go down and time expired on the Mountaineers.
 
After a quick break for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Mountaineers return to action in November 24^th versus Central Methodist University at the Colorado Mesa Classic.