Las Vegas, N.M.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Friday afternoon, to take on the Cowboys in a non-conference contest.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score:  N.M. Highlands def. Western Colorado 94-86
Records: Western Colorado 1-4 | New Mexico Highlands 6-1
Location: Las Vegas, N.M. John A. Wilson Complex

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cowboys were first on the board with a jumper in the paint 2-0. The Mountaineers responded with a three made by senior Kade Juelfs 3-2. The next few possessions for each team resulted in scores, tying the game at 8-a-piece. A three by junior Ty Buckmon gave WCU a 3-point lead 11-8. Highlands got within one after a jumper in the paint 11-10.
• After two scoreless minutes, NMHU took their lead back 12-11. Senior Amar Rivers finished around the rim to change the lead 13-12. Scores were traded back-and-forth until the Cowboys took an eleven-point lead 30-22. Junior Jamel Hollin went two-for-two from the free throw line to cut the lead 33-24.
• With just under five minutes to play in the first half, Highlands cushioned their advantage, going up 42-26. Senior Spencer Wright sunk two free throws, adding to WCU's score 42-28. The first half ended with a layup from Rivers, a dunk from senior Trey Anderson and multiple scores from NMHU 52-33.
• Highlands quickly took a 21-point advantage 54-33. Juelfs hit junior Andrew Reichart for a layup to cut it to nineteen 54-35. The Cowboys kept the lead for the next few minutes, but the Mountaineers were able to compete.
• With ten minutes left, Juelfs hit a shot behind the arch to get within fifteen 72-57. Moments later sophomore Tyler Halligan and Hollins put away points in the paint, cutting the Cowboy's lead down to fourteen 76-62. The Mountaineers battled to the end, but NMHU came out on top by an 8-point margin 94-86.

 
COURT NOTES

• Juelfs led the Mountaineer offense with 28 points, going 5-6 from the charity stripe, 57% (8-14) from the field and 58% (7-12) from behind the arch. Jamel and Rivers respectfully contributed 10 points while Halligan, Buckmon and Reichart each put up 8.
• Hollins paced the offense with 6 assists. Halligan, Juelfs, Reichart and Wright each finished with a pair.
• Halligan pulled down 3 offensive boards and finished with 4 total. Rivers grabbed three while Juelfs, Hollins, Reichart and junior Trevin Lieck each secured 2.
• Western Colorado earned 36 of their points in the paint, had 24 bench points, 14 points off turnovers and 7 second chance points.
• The Mountaineers shot 56.9% from the field, 45.5% from three and 81.8% from the charity stripe.

 
UP NEXT
The Mountaineers host RMAC opponent Colorado Christian University for their "Pack the House – White Out" game on Thursday Dec. 5 at 7:30pm.

For more information visit gomountaineers.com.