Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team drop to Colorado Mesa at the buzzer by a score of 64-63 on Tuesday evening.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mesa Def. Western Colorado University 64-63
Records: Western Colorado overall 5-9 (RMAC 3-4) | CMU overall 9-6 (RMAC 3-4).
Location: Paul Wright Gym, Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mountaineers won the jump ball. Senior Spencer Wright brought the ball up the court finding junior Jamel Hollins who kicked the ball out to senior Trey Anderson for a three 3-0. The Mavericks answered back with a contested bucket 3-2. CMU forced a turnover and took a 4-3 lead. Senior Kade Juelfs sunk a three to regain the edge 6-4.
• WCU stretched their advantage 15-6 forcing the Mavericks to call a timeout. CMU scored out of the break, but sophomore Tyler Halligan put away a three to go up by ten 18-8. The Mavericks earned back-to-back scores 18-12, Halligan answered with a left-hand bucket 20-12. Swapped free throws by Mesa and senior Nalik Veasley put the game at 22-14.
• An 8-0 run for the Mavericks tied the game at 22 a-piece with under ten minutes to play. Two consecutive shots behind the arch by junior Christian Still and Anderson awarded WCU a 28-22 edge. CMU pushed the ball, getting within one 28-27.
• Senior Amar Rivers found Junior Andrew Reichart under the basket for a finish around the rim 30-27. With one minute remaining the Mavericks hit a jump shot 30-29. The Mountaineers earned one more possession, Wright found Anderson for a three 33-29. WCU forced CMU into a turnover on their last possession to go into halftime with the advantage.
• Hollins kicked off the second half finishing around the rim 35-29. It took CMU, roughly, three minutes to earn their first score 35-31. Seconds later, Juelfs knocked down a long shot putting WCU up 38-31. The Mavericks answered but another three from Anderson elevated the Mountaineer's score 41-33.
• Mesa started to press, allowing them to go on a six-point run 41-39. Just as the shot clock was winding down, Anderson was fouled sending him to the charity stripe 43-39.
• In the twenty-ninth minute the Mavericks tied the score at 44-44. A missed dunk by CMU turned into a fast break for WCU and a slam for Rivers 46-44. The following offensive possession for the Mountaineers sent Veasley to the charity stripe 48-44.
• After made free throws and a layup, CMU takes the lead 52-49 with about five minutes left in the game. Anderson's defender back off him allowing him to shoot a three 52-52. A defensive stop by Hollins allowed for Juelfs to tip the ball in 54-52. A three pointer and two free throws resulted in a CMU lead 57-56.
• The final minutes of the contest were tense. The respective teams, making shots, getting stops and pressing. As time ran out, the Mountaineers were up two 63-61 but a last second three won the Mavericks the game 64-63.

 
COURT NOTES

• Anderson finished with 19 points, going 5-10 from the field, 5-9 from three and 4-5 from the charity stripe. Juelfs followed with 13, going 4-8 from the field, 3-6 from three and 2-2 from the free throw line. Reichart posted 9 and Veasley 7.
• Anderson was the leading rebounders with 6. Hollins pulled down 5 and Juelfs 4. The three also each contributed 3 assists.
• Hollins, Still, Vealey and junior Trevin Lieck were each awarded a steal while Anderson and Still earned a block.
• WCU shot 46.5% from the field, 61.1% from three and 80% from the charity stripe. The Mountaineers had 20 bench points, 4 points off turnovers and 8 second chance points.

UP NEXT
Mountaineer men's basketball travel to RMAC opponent Westminster University on Thursday January 16 at 7:30pm.  
 
For more information visit gomountaineers.com