Colorado Christian Men's Basketball defeated Colorado State University Pueblo in the first round of the RMAC Shootout Tournament. The game was close and both teams fought hard, but CCU came out with the win 54-52.

CCU Men's Basketball came out slow in the beginning of the game missing their first two shots and turning the ball over two times. They scored their first bucket in the 18^th minute, and then not again until the 16^th minute. Their sluggish offense caused Pueblo to get a ten-point lead on them 12-2, but the Cougs slowly chipped away and gained the lead with a Brett Brady three half way through the first putting them up 16-15.
 
The Cougs fought relentlessly on defense, but could not hit a three going 2-11 (18%) in the first half. They were out rebounded 21-15 by the Thunderwolves, but CCU gained points from the field shooting 44%, compared to CSUP's 38%. CCU senior, Jacob Taylor led Christian with 10 points, going 5-6 from the field. Colo. Christian went into the locker room down three points 30-27.
 
Not so quickly into the second half CCU took the lead 31-30 after several missed shots from both squads. With 13 minutes left in the game, Brett Brady shot his third three of the game, which gave him 98 on the year and tied him up for the most threes made in a single season at CCU.
 
The calls and momentum leaned towards blue and gold as the clock ran down and the Cougars were able to keep the lead. Pueblo and CCU could not hit a shot! Both squad's three point field goal percentages were in the low twenties. With ten minutes left CSUP tied it up 36-36, until the Thunderwolves gained two points from a foul 38-36. With eight minutes to go, Brett Brady made is fourth three of the game and beat the CCU record of most threes in a single season with 99.
 
CSUP led by two points until there were two minutes left when the Cougs tied it up 47-47. CCU won some big possessions and the Thunderwolves still couldn't find the bucket. With 45 seconds left CCU senior Andre Lane hit his first three of the game after going 0-5 putting the Cougars up 50-47. Thirty seconds was on the clock as Jacob Taylor got fouled and made his two free throws to give CCU a five point lead 52-47.
 
With 15 seconds left Pueblo made intentional fouls that gave them huge advantage and brought them back by only one point 53-52. Jacob Taylor stepped up to the line again with six seconds on the clock and missed his first shot. He made the second, but now Pueblo had the ball and ran down the court. They drove it into the hoop. The Cougar defense was perfection as they stayed away from the foul, but stopped the ball from going in. Colorado Christian won the game 54-52. Jacob Taylor led Christian with 19 points, followed by Brett Brady with 18.
 
Head Coach Kevin Lubbers remarked:
 
"The guys deserve 100% of the credit for the win. Coach Turner is a dear friend of mine and phenomenal coach. The CSUP guys played a great game as well. I am happy for our guys but eager to get working on playing an excellent Fort Lewis team."
 
This is CCU's first RMAC Tournament post season game win since the 2009-2010 season, and Coach Lubbers first ever since his reign began at Colorado Christian in 2011-2012. The Cougars will take on Fort Lewis College at Colorado School of Mines in the final four on Friday, March 3^rd.