LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Western Colorado University men's basketball break their losing streak by defeating the Cougars of Colorado Christian University. Saturday night the Mountaineers tipped off against the Cougars on their home court in Lakewood, Colorado, Western managed to hang on to a 74-72 victory.
 
At the half the Mountaineers led 41-30 over the Cougars, but then had a less productive second half only scoring 33 points and giving up 42. Western had just enough left in the tank to come away with their first RMAC victory of the season.
 
Leading the team to victory was senior Brady Subart who played all forty minutes for the Mountaineers. Subart led the team in scoring with 17 points on the night, just over his 15.3 average.
 
Western's explosive offence had tremendous depth with five players going in the double digits for scoring. Following Subart was James Willis and Jackson Ehrlin both with 15 points. Freshman Cole Sienknecth, finished with 12 point for the game, followed by teammate Monroe Porter with 11.
 
Despite having lower shooting percentages than CCU, Western's defense was able to slow down the Cougars giving the offence more opportunities.     
 
Porter led the team in rebounding with nine rebounds, having the second most rebounds of the game. Western as a team combined for 29 rebounds, below their 35.4 average.
 
For Western, 38 of their 74 points came in the paint.
 
The Mountaineers capitalized on their turnovers by scoring 12 points off turnovers. CCU only had 4 points off turnovers.
 
With five lead changes throughout the night Western managed to have the highest lead with an 11 point difference going into the half.  The Cougars largest lead was four points, which came at 5:48 left in the game.
 
As a team the Mountaineers shot five percent better from the free throw line than their season average. Western shot 75 percent against the Cougars, over their season average of 70 percent.
 
Next weekend the Mountaineers are back in action at Paul Wright Gym for their last two home games of the season. On Friday night they tip off against No. 8 ranked Adams State University, then take on No. 13 ranked Fort Lewis College on Saturday night.