After opening the 2014-15 season in Austin, TX this past weekend, CCU Basketball played their first game – an exhibition at Air Force Academy – on Colorado soil Wednesday. Playing in front of 1,100 Air Force fans, Colorado Christian battled the DI Falcons for 40 minutes before finally falling 70-47.
 
Haunted by a paltry shooting effort, CCU's Cougars struggled for two periods to find the bottom of the net (25% from the field). After connecting on just seven field goals in the first half, the Cougars proved unable to improve their offensive output after the break. CCU wrapped the night with just 14 buckets – six of them from downtown. Unfortunately, the production at the charity stripe (13/18) wasn't enough to keep the game close through the second half.
 
Still, the Colorado Christian squad had plenty to take away from a game which doesn't count against their record. Among the bright spots was CCU's pesky defense, which forced 16 Falcon giveaways. The Cougars managed to score 16 off Air Force turnovers.
 
"Overall we made some good strides tonight," explained Christian Coach Kevin Lubbers after the loss. "Exhibitions are about us getting better at a few specific things, giving lots of guys minutes. Tonight we did that. We gave up a big run around the nine-minute mark in the second half that really created the separation."
 
Senior guard Michael Brown turned in CCU's only double-digit scoring show after netting 11 points. The Heber City, UT native also notched a team-best four assists to go along with three steals. Newcomer Tyler Shields brought down a game-high eight boards, though the Cougars would get out-rebounded 70 to 47.
 
Still looking for their first win of the season, the Cougars will return to the road for a pair of games on campus at Western Oregon University. CCU will tip off against St. Martin's University Friday at 5, before playing host WOU on Saturday at 7pm.
 
"The guys are looking forward to this weekend now."