Regis University Head Coach Lonnie Porter, in his final season as leader of the Rangers, was honored before Friday night's contest against Colorado Christian, but it would be the visiting Cougars that came away with the victory.
 
Michael Brown hit a clutch jumper to give the Cougars the late lead, and CCU held on 66-63 in Denver to earn yet another crucial conference win.
 
In a much different game from when the Rangers visited Lakewood last month, this one was tight throughout, with both teams playing evenly.
 
Christian certainly didn't have their best offensive game on Friday, but contributions from Brown, Andrew Squiers and Tyler Shields certainly helped the cause.
 
While it was Michael Brown knocking down the go-ahead basket, Tyler Shields made sure to play a big role in the outcome. His double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds was a significant impact on both offense and defense.
 
In an attacking role yet again, point guard Andrew Squiers finished with 15 points while knocking down all seven of his attempts from the free throw line. Squiers would also tally three steals on the evening- three of the 12 steals the Cougars would accumulate in forcing 16 Regis turnovers overall.
 
As they have done all season, Christian punished the opposition for their mistakes, and converted the takeaways into 17 points. Conversely, Regis was only able to register five points from the Cougars' 13 turnovers.
 
Even with Christian forcing mistakes, the second half was close as CCU failed to capitalize and pull away. Both teams struggled shooting the ball, and for a five minute stretch late in the game, neither team scored. But when free throws evened the score late, despite poor shooting, the visitors were able to come up with the game's biggest basket.
 
With 90 seconds remaining, senior Michael Brown's 3-point jumper gave the Cougars the lead and would eventually become the game-winner. A failed attempt by Regis as time expired gave Christian its third consecutive win and ninth in RMAC play.
 
"It was a great in in a tough environment tonight. Coach Porter has had a long and accomplished career that has impacted the lives of so many people in the greater Denver area and beyond," remarked Head Coach Kevin Lubbers. "It was an honor for us to have an opportunity to witness him being honored in front of a great crowd.
 
"I am proud of our kids for finding a way to win on the defensive end in the second half, when our offense was not great."
 
The Cougars are back in action Saturday for a 7 pm tilt against #11 Metro State, winners of seven straight. CCU has another opportunity for the upset, falling just short to the Roadrunners in January's matchup.