GUNNISON, Colo. – Western Colorado University Men's Basketball hosted Colorado Mesa University in the conference opener Saturday night. The Mountaineers put three players in double figures and two over the 20-point mark, but were unable to complete a comeback and defeat the Mavericks.
 
After a slow start, Western (3-4, 0-1 RMAC) began finding their stride in the second half. The Mountaineers shot 54.2 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes. Despite outscoring CMU (6-1, 1-0 RMAC) 61-53 in the second half, the Mavericks held on for a 97-90 win.
 
After falling behind by 19 points with 8:36 left to play, Western soared back into the game, chipping away at the Maverick lead.
 
Following two free throws and a layup by Jaire Roberts, the Mountaineers cut the deficit to single digits. Western trailed CMU by just nine points 89-80 with 53 seconds left to play.
 
In the final 53 seconds, the two teams combined for 18 points.
 
The Mountaineers were able to get within seven, but fell to CMU.
 
Quincy Harding led all players in scoring, hitting nine field goals and eight free throws for 28 points.
 
Roberts scored 21 points, making 7-of-10 field goal attempts. The junior led the Mountaineers in rebounding, grabbing nine boards.
 
The freshman Cole Sienknecht also reached double figures in scoring. Sienknecht scored 11 points, going 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.
 
The Mountaineers continue the home stand against Colorado School of Mines next Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.