GUNNISON, Colo. – A late surge pushed Colorado Mesa University men's basketball past Western State Colorado University on Tuesday night in Paul Wright Gym. The Mountaineers held a lead for much of the game, but were unable to secure a victory, falling to the Mavericks 76-78.
 
After exchanging the lead for five minutes, CMU (11-11, 7-9 RMAC) took the lead once and for all with 1:37 left to play.
 
Western (9-13, 7-9 RMAC) fought the Mavericks tooth and nail in the first half. There were eight lead changes in the first half alone. The Mountaineers' largest lead of the first half was three point, 23-20, at the 6:38 mark, while CMU led by as many as seven, 32-25 with 1:14 left.
 
Western went into the break, trailing the Mavericks by just one point, 32-31.
 
The Mountaineers regained control of the game and led by nine points, 49-40, with 12:34 left to play.
 
Ben Beauchamp led the Western scoring attack, dropping 23 points, five assists and six rebounds. Beauchamp has scored 20 or more points in five of the last six games.
 
Three other Mountaineers scored in double figures. Brady Subart poured-in 18 points, while Collins Smith and Quincy Harding each scored 14.
 
CMU's Connor Nichols led all players with 28 points and 15 rebounds.
 
The loss snaps Western's five home game winning streak.
 
The Mountaineers will return to the court on Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah to face Westminster College.