GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado held No. 13 Colorado Mesa to just 26-points in the first half, but the Mavericks collected their 12th conference win of the season by a score of 67-45.  
 
JUST THE FACTS 
Final Score: Colorado Mesa Def. Western Colorado, 67-45 
Records: Western Colorado 6-13 (13-10 RMAC), Colorado Mesa 16-3 (12-1 RMAC) 
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The Mountaineers and Mavericks kept in close in the first 10 minutes of the game where there were three lead changes in the half. Tyler Halligan got the Mountaineers on the board first with a jumper in the paint, but then Trevor Baskin tied it with a layup for CMU.  
• The two squads would trade shots until the Mountaineers took their first lead of the night from a 3-pointer from Jaelan McCloud. After once again tying the game at seven, Western Colorado would then see the lead as Xavier Harris drained a pair of free throws.  
• Colorado Mesa then took charge as they would not give up another lead the rest of the way. Elijah Knudsen stepped back for a 3-pointer giving CMU a 10-9 lead to begin the Mavericks run. Western Colorado did not score for seven minutes as the Mavericks registered a nine-point run. The Mavericks took their largest lead of the half into the break by a score of 26-16  
• The Mavericks' defense silenced the Mountaineers offense in the second half as the home team scored just 29-points to the Mavericks 41 in the half. Owen Koonce gave his squad a 22-point lead with a dunk with 13:27 left on the clock. CMU capitalized on getting the ball quickly down the court in the second half with 13 points from fast breaks.  

COURT NOTES 

• Xavier Harris was the lone Mountaineer to score in double digits with 10 points. He went 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and the free throw line. Trevin Lieck registered eight points for his squad going 3-for-5 from the field. As a team the Mountaineers shot 32% from the field all night.  
• Andrew Reichart led Western Colorado in rebounds with five. Christian Still and Amar River had four rebounds apiece. Tyler Halligan led the Mountaineers with two steals.  
• For CMU, Aidan Kuhl and Mac Riniker each recorded a game-high 14 points, while Trevor Baskin collected 13 points. The Mavericks shot 50% from the field in the 40-minute contest. Baskin also led his team in rebounds with seven, while Elijah Knudsen and Christopher Speller each had two steals.  

UP NEXT 

Western Colorado stays in Gunnison, Colo., to take on Westminster on Saturday, February 3. Tip off between the Mountaineers and Griffins is set for 5 p.m.