The Cougar men's basketball team opened the season playing in the D2 Conference Challenge in Mesa, Colorado, dropping their first game of the season 58-89 to Dallas Baptist University. The Patriots avenged a loss to the Cougars from last season when CCU defeated DBU by nine in the same tournament.
 
Dallas Baptist led wire-to-wire, jumping out to an early 11-2 lead and building a lead of 23 to end the first half. Defense for the Cougars was spotty, allowing DBU to go on multiple offensive runs while shooting over 48% from the field. The Patriots led in nearly every team category, but what jumps out most obviously was their dominance in the paint. The Patriots outscored the Cougars 48-16 in the key.
 
The Cougars were lead in points, rebounds, and co-lead in assists by redshirt junior Stefan Hackethal. In the second half of the game he scored 19 of his 24 points while shooting 7-9. He also made all four of his free throw attempts, helping the Cougars tally an 81% free throw percentage. 
 
CCU will play again on November 11^th when they take on the Hilltoppers of St. Edwards University from Austin, Texas. When the two teams met last season the Cougars won 93-91. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Grand Junction, Colorado.