GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Western Colorado trailed by five-points going into the third quarter. Yet, a strong outing by Colorado Mesa in the second half led to the Mountaineers falling 46-82. 
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mesa def., Western Colorado 82-46.
Records: Western Colorado 3-15, 1-13 RMAC, Colorado Mesa 16-4, 11-3 RMAC.
Location: Brownson Arena; Grand Junction, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Colorado Mesa was hot to start the game, resulting in them going on an 8-0 run. A Robel Desta three-pointer put the Mountaineers on the board. But, The Mavericks matched that right away with a three of their own.  After a dunk by Colorado Mesa put them up ten-points, Jaelan McCloud cut the lead to 6-13 with a three-pointer of his own.
• Colorado Mesa lead grew as large as 13-points. But, Western continued to fight and with 7:05 left, down 14-25, they went on a 9-0 run that cut the Mavericks lead to 23-25. Kevin Jimenez started the run with a layup, which was followed up with a Mason Black three-pointer. Grant Wilkinson made the 23rd point sinking a jumper.
• The Mavericks increased the lead to seven-points minutes later. Yet, with 3:07 remaining, a Desta three-pointer and Kade Juelfs basket, reduced Colorado Mesa's lead to 28-30. Both teams exchanged baskets for the final minutes of the half – Mavericks making two baskets to the Mountaineers one – leading to the Mountaineers trailing 30-35 at halftime.
• Coming out of halftime, Western continued to chip away at the lead, cutting Colorado Mesa's lead to 38-41 on an Avery Rembao basket in the paint. The Mavericks offense woke up quickly after that, going on a 18-2 run, which put the game out of reach. Colorado Mesa lead grew as large as 36-points before the game ended, as they defeated the Mountaineers 82-46.

COURT NOTES

• Robel Desta nearly had a double-double for Western, dropping 16-points and grabbing a team high nine rebounds. Andrew Reichart led the way in the steal's category, recording two steals.
• As a whole, the Mountaineers shot 29.8 percent (17-of-57) from the field, 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from three and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free throw line.
• For the Mavericks, Blaise Threatt shouldered the scoring load dropping 25-points. Trevor Baskin and Isaac Jessup were also a threat on the offensive side, pitching in with 16-points and 10-points.

UP NEXT
Western will face Chadron State College on Thursday (Feb. 2) at 7:30 p.m. and Colorado Christian University on Saturday (Feb. 4) at 7 p.m.