GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Western State Colorado University men's basketball player Monroe Porter recorded his second straight double-double, while teammate Collin Smith scored a team-high 24 points on Friday night. Despite the great performances by the Mountaineers, Western was unable to complete a second-half comeback against Central Methodist University, falling to the Eagles 83-86.
 
After a slow start by both teams, both the Mountaineers and Eagles scored 50 points or more in the second half at the Colorado Mesa University Holiday Inn-Airport Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Western (1-4, 0-0 RMAC) was behind 28-36 after the first 20 minutes. However, the Mountaineers came storming back in the second 20 minutes, shooting 60.6 percent (20-for-33) and scoring 55 points.
 
Down nine points, 33-42, to CMU (8-0, 0-0 Heart) at the 18:29 mark of the second half, Western went on a 14-2 run over the following 3:48 to take a 47-44 lead.
 
The Mountaineers were unable to hold the lead, as the Eagles pushed back, going ahead by 11 points with six minutes remaining. Western wasn't going down without a fight, and after a three-pointer by Collin Smith with five seconds remaining, the Mountaineers trailed by just one point, 83-84.
 
The Eagles would make free throws with one second remaining to win the game, 83-86.
 
Smith has now scored 20 or more points in three-of-five games this season for the Mountaineers.
 
Western's Monroe Porter recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds for his second career and second straight double-double. Porter also led all players with six assists.
 
Quincy Harding and Ben Beauchamp also scored in double figures for the Mountaineers. Harding recorded 14 points while Beauchamp added 11.
 
CMU's Brian Egejuru paced all players with 31 points on Friday.
 
Western will continue the season on Saturday against No. 18 MidAmerica Nazarene University at 3 p.m. in Brownson Arena.