Colorado Christian played University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in Saturday's game. The Cougars were defeated 81-73 by the Mountain Lions.
 
Colo. Christian was taken off guard as UCCS put up 12 points in the first three minutes, completely shutting down Christian's side of the scoreboard. From there on out, the Cougars had work to do, and it didn't take long to pay off. The rebounds were won, and the shots went in. Blue and gold managed to get back into the game with shots from McLemore, McCullough, and Saliba. Halfway thought the first the score was 24-20.
 
CCU foul trouble early on caused a ten-point lead for the Mountain Lions.  It was hard for the Cougars to take possession of the ball when UCCS grabbed 11 offensive rebounds. Fortunately Zach McLemore had a hot hand with 16 points going 4-5 from three keeping blue and gold in the game. Defense tightened up for CCU in the final minutes and they out shot UCCS in field goals and threes 39% and 50%. They went into the half down three points 38-35.
 
Minutes dragged down in the second half and the Mountain Lions kept the lead, but only by one or two points. McLemore continued to score for the Cougs and Ty McGee led defensively. Momentum was wavering between the teams depending on who scored the next bucket. Fouls on both ends of the court started to rule the pace of the game, mostly in favor of UCCS. The Cougars were down 57-55 with ten minutes remaining.
 
It was a good three in-a-half minute hiatus (9:30-6:11) from the Lions who were stuck at 61 points as the Cougars crept up on them with 59 points.  At this point in the game with five minutes remaining, the Mountain Lions had a total of 18 offensive rebounds and 29 second chance points. With these offensive opportunities and a defensive let down from blue and gold the Mountain Lions took the game.
 
The Cougars finished the game shooting higher than UCCS from downtown at 27%. Zach McLemore dominated the game with 29 points (10-24 FG, 6-13 3FG, 3-4 FT). Trailing McLemore was Ty McGee with 18 points and seven rebounds. Dimitri Saliba also contributed 14 points for CCU.
 
The Cougars will be back at home next weekend playing Western State Colorado University on Friday January 22^nd. Tip-off is set for 7 PM.