Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team defeats Westminster, in double overtime, by a score of 83-76 on Senior Night, Thursday evening.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado University Def. Westminster 83-76
Records: Western Colorado overall 8-18 (RMAC 6-13) | Westminster University overall 13-14 (RMAC 7-12).
Location: Gunnison, Colo. Paul Wright Gym

Before the game, Western Colorado honored six Mountaineers, Nalik Veasley, Trey Anderson, Amar Rivers, Spencer Wright, Daric Conkright and Kade Juelfs, on closing out their basketball careers.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Griffins earned an and-one to start the game 3-0. Rivers hit a fifteen-foot jumper to put the Mountaineers on the board 3-2. WU with a layup 5-2 but Juelfs answered with a three 5-5. A Griffin turnover resulted in a layup by Wright and a WCU lead 7-5.
• A tie at 7-7 was won by Rivers 9-7 then a tie at 9-9, won by Wright 11-9. Another shot from beyond the arch by Juelfs gave WCU a 14-9 advantage. Westminster went on a small run, gaining a 17-14 lead.
• Veasley finishing around the rim, then sophomore Tyler Halligan knocked down a three allowing WCU to regain their edge 19-17.
• With under ten-minutes to play in the first half, freshman Dawlton Grant extended the Mountaineers lead 21-17. Points traded and the lead changed a few more times but WCU went into the locker room up 37-33.
• A seven-point run for the Griffins gave them a 40-39 edge to kick off the second half. Junior Andrew Reichart with back-to-back layups flipped the advantage to the Mountaineers 43-41. Anderson exchanged a three with two WU layups, to make it a one-point game in favor of WCU 46-45.
• Halligan with a three ball then junior Christian Still knocking down two from the charity stripe, followed by s spin move in the paint from Veasley put the Mountaineers up 54-49 with under ten to play.
• Another small run for the Griffins, once again, switched the lead. WU went up 57-54 with roughly seven minutes left in the game. A hook shot by Reichart continued to keep the game close, 58-56. A WU turnover led to Veasley put up three for WCU 59-58.
• The respective teams continued to battle, the atmosphere in the gym was chaotic. With under two minutes left WCU earned a 64-62 lead. Another tie as WU hit a jumper 64-64. After a Griffin dunk, they had a 66-64 advantage with one minute left. Veasley created another draw 66-66. The time expired and the game went into overtime.
• Rivers was the first to score in overtime, sinking two from the line 68-66. The Griffins were sent to the charity stripe but couldn't hit them both 68-67. Juelfs hit Veasley for a three-point edge 70-67. Griffins responded 70-69.
• Juelfs was fouled on the defensive end sending him to WCU's free throw line 72-69. Westminster was only capable of hitting on of their awarded free throw 72-70. With seconds left, a layup by WU sent the game into a second overtime.
• Reichart, Veasley and Rivers hit shots, allowing WCU to win the game 83-76.

 
COURT NOTES 

• Rivers led the Mountaineers with 21 points, going 7-17 from the field, 2-7 from three and 5-6 from the free throw line. Veasley followed with 18, going -710 from the paint and 4-5 from the charity stripe. Reichart finished with 9. Halligan and Juelfs earned 8. . Anderson and Wright each earned 6.
• Anderson recorded 5 assists. Juelfs ended with 4. Rivers, and junior Ty Buckmon recorded 3. Buckmon also contributed 4 steals.
• Halligan and Anderson pulled down 6 boards. Veasley earned 5 and Reichart had 4.
• WCU shot 45.3% from the field, 32.0% from three and 73.9% from the charity stripe.
• The Mountaineers had 10 second chance points, 15 fast break points, 34 points in the paint, 24 points off turnovers and 42 bench points.

 
UP NEXT
The Mountaineer men's basketball team travels to Colorado Mesa on Saturday March 1 at 3pm, for their final game of the 2024-25 season.

For more information visit gomountaineers.com