GUNNISON, Colo. – One night after a defeating fourth-ranked West Texas A&M, Western Colorado University could not overcome a streaking University of Texas Permian Basin squad in Paul Wright Gym. UT Permian basin outdistanced Western 98-86 to remain undefeated on the season.
While Western (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) collectively did not have the magic behind the arc, UT Permian Basin (2-0, 0-0 LSC) took advantage in the lane scoring 44 points in the paint.
Quincy Harding got hot for Western, with 31 points on 12-19 shooting to lead all scorers on the night. Despite going 4-8 from downtown, a majority of Harding's 63% shooting came in the lane. He also pulled in three rebounds and dished out two assists on the night.
The only other Mountaineer to score in double-figures on the night was
Monroe Porter with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Western played tight with UTPB to open the game, but as the night wore on the Falcons athleticism and transition play wore on the Mountaineers.
At the 13:17 mark, Western and UTPB were knotted at 14 points apiece. After a Falcon run that pushed the margin to 12, Western would shoot their way back to within five points on two occasions before UTPB capitalized on turnovers to hit the break up 47-35.
After the half, consistent shooting and an overwhelming Falcon presence in the lane proved too much for the Mountaineers.
With 11:59 remaining, a
Cole Sienknecht three drew Western within six but it would be the closest the Mountaineers would get to unseating the Falcons.
Western returns to Paul Wright Gym next weekend as they host the annual Comfort Inn Classic. The four-team affair runs Friday 11/16 through Saturday 11/17 with two games per night.
