GUNNISON, Colo. – It was a tale of two halves Friday night in Paul Wright Gym. Western Colorado University dominated the first 20 minutes against Northern New Mexico College but were unable to hold on, falling 81-73 to the Eagles.
 
Western (1-2, 0-0 RMAC) got out to a fast start, shooting 44.74 percent (17-of-38) from the field in the first half. The Mountaineers made seven three-pointers en route to a 45-29 halftime lead.
 
It seemed as if the Mountaineers would cruise to a victory in their first game of the 2018 Comfort Inn Classic, but NNMC (4-4, 0-0 AII) had other ideas.
 
The Eagles stepped up their defense in the second half, and turned stops into scoring opportunities. With 11:46 left to play, the Eagles tied the game at 50 points.
 
NNMC shot 58.06 percent (18-of-31) in the second half, while holding the Mountaineers to 22.2 percent (8-of-36) shooting from the field in the final 20 minutes.
 
Jaire Roberts led Western with 27 points, while also pulling down 11 rebounds. The double-double is Roberts' first in a Mountaineer uniform.
 
Teammate Quincy Harding added 20 points, and Monroe Porter added another 11 rebounds.
 
The Mountaineers will return to the court Saturday in the final game of the Comfort Inn Classic at 7 p.m. against Texas A&M University – Commerce.