CCU Men's Basketball traveled a short distance to Golden, CO to play the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers on Friday night. This was the last conference game for both teams, and a chance for CCU to potentially make it into the RMAC Tournament. The Cougars battled beyond hard in this game, but came up short in double overtime by three points 106-103. CCU will end their conference season 10-12.
 
CCU has impressed more than once this season. With a very young and talented team, it has been unpredictable of what will happen on the court, despite who the opponent is. Colorado Mines was ranked #2 in the RMAC at 17-5. The Cougars had an amazing game against the Orediggers, playing selfless, clean, and going 100% for all fifty minutes.
 
From the very start of the game to the very end both squads played clean and disciplined. There were no lulls in shooting, or an absurd amount of turnovers. Not one player completely dominated the court and scoreboard.  Starters and reserves had a huge role in this game. The Cougars and Orediggers had control of the ball and ran their systems well. Hence why the game was so close and had resulted in two ties at the buzzer beater.
 
CCU was on top going into half time 40-37. Zach McLemore was leading for the Cougs with 12 points. Despite shooting a little less than Mines (51.9%-51.7% FG, 46%-33% 3FG), Christian worked hard on defense and had more rebounds, steals, less turnovers, and more opportunities to score.
 
The second half flip-flopped as CCU outshot the Orediggers 58%-47% FG, 50%-36% 3FG, but gave up the ball more. Blue and gold had less rebounds, more turnovers, less steals, and more fouls in the second. Wayne McCullough was the point leader in this half with 11 for the Cougars. McCullough also scored the crucial three pointer that tied the game and propelled them into OT (82-82). Colorado Mines was able to score 45 points in the second half compared to CCU's 42.
 
Overtime would then become double overtime. Colo. Christian would do it twice. After four ties and three lead changes in five minutes the Orediggers were up by two 94-92 with 12 seconds left. CCU's Isaiah Hanson was able to get an offensive rebound off a missed layup by McLemore. He then tipped it in for the tie as the buzzer sounded. The Cougars would go on to lose the game in the following five minutes. They were able to tie it up one more time, but never taking the lead again.
 
There were five Cougars in double digits against Mines. Wayne McCullough led CCU with 22 points and six steals, followed by Zach McLemore and Ty McGee both with 15 points. McGee led in assists with six, and also in rebounds with nine. Jacob Taylor was able to put 14 on the scoreboard, and Dimitri Saliba had 12.

"Tonight our guys did everything we asked them to do as hard as they could for 50 minutes against a very talented Mines team, " said Head Coach Kevin Lubbers. "We came up a little short. I was very proud of our players and assistant coaching staff for the preparation and effort that went into tonight. We still have season left and our guys will shake this off and get back to work next week to get ready for the NCCAA Regional Touranment."
 
Head Coach Lubbers is right. The CCU Men's Basketball team will be competing at the NCCAA Regional Tournament hosted by Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, CO. The competition will start Thursday, March 10th. Stay tuned for tournament details and information.