Colorado Springs, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team comes up short against the Mountain Lions of UC-Colorado Springs on Thursday evening by a score of 68-64.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score:  UCCS Def. Western Colorado University 68-64
Records: Western Colorado overall 6-21 (RMAC 4-7) | UCCS overall 12-7 (RMAC 6-5).
Location: Colorado Springs, Colo. | Gallogly Events Center
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Western won the tip and within thirty seconds, senior Amar Rivers earned himself an offensive board and bucket 2-0. Immediately after, the Mountain Lions answered 2-2. The next offensive possession for UCCS, they gained a 5-4 lead.
• Five minutes later, the Mountain Lions took an 11-4 advantage. Senior Kade Juelfs hit two threes to get within three 13-10. Junior Christian Still made a free two and a jumper to regain the advantage 14-13. UCCS responded with back-to-back layups 17-14.
• Senior Trey Anderson tied the game at 17-a-piece after hitting his first shot of the day. The Mountaineers sent the Mountain Lions to the charity stripe earning 19-17 advantage. Moments later, Rivers and senior Nalik Veasley swapped buckets with UCCS 23-21.
• Veasley and Anderson managed to advance WCU to a 26-24 edge. The last few seconds of the half, WCU fouled UCCS allowing them to go into the locker room up 27-26.
• Rivers knocked down a three to begin the second half, going WCU a 29-27 advantage. A three and a few jumpers put UCCS back on top 37-30. In the following minutes, the Mountaineers went on a small run to control the game 48-43.
• Points were traded and under the five-minute mark WCU was up two 52-50. Then Anderson went two-for-two from the charity stripe to make it a four-point game 54-50. UCCS cut it to two with free throws 54-52.
•  With a minute left the Mountain Lions tied the game at 59-a-piece. The leads switch UCCS up 60-59 then WCU up 61-60 with 52-seconds to go. A driving layup changed the lead another time in favor of the Mountain Lions 62-61. Juelfs was fouled but didn't execute. The Mountaineers were forced to send UCCS to the free throw line 64-61.
• Juelfs responded knocking down two free throws 64-63. UCCS shot 88.9% from the free throw line to win the game 68-64.

 
COURT NOTES

• Juelfs led the Mountaineers with 18 points, going 6-11 from the field, 3-5 from three and 3-6 from the charity stripe. Anderson and Rivers followed with 14. Anderson went 4-9 from the field, 3-6 behind the arch and 3-5 from the free throw line. Rivers went 6-17 from the field, 1-3 from three and 1-2 from the free throw line.
• Juniors Jamel Hollins and Andrew Reichart each grabbed 8 boards, Veasley pulled down 6 and Rivers finished with 5.
• Juelfs recorded 4 assists and 3 steals. Veasley was next with 3 assists.
• WCU shot 40.7% from the field, 50% from three and 40.9% from the charity stripe. The Mountaineers beat UCCS on the boards 43-40, had 11 total assists, 6 total steals and 14 bench points.

 
UP NEXT
Mountaineer men's basketball travels to RMAC opponent Colorado Christian University on Saturday February 1 at 3pm.  
 
For more information visit gomountaineers.com