Colorado Christian Men's Basketball lost to Colorado School of Mines 86-71 on Tuesday night.
 
The first half was a different CCU team that hasn't been seen since their UCCS victory in mid-December. They were moving the ball better than ever and driving to the hoop - which against the Orediggers was a good game plan.  What was the difference?  Momentum from freshman #22 Chris Hildenbrand or senior #24 Isaiah Hanson?  It was both.  Both the senior and freshman showed up ready to play and "on one".  Hildenbrand was everywhere on the court, playing strong defense, making assists and scoring seven points.  Blue and gold caught onto the freshman's momentum and with a little less than three minutes they took the lead 33-31.  Then there was Isaiah Hanson who stayed consistent and scored high for CCU with 11 points.  Despite the encouraging performance, the Cougars went into the locker room down 48-39. 
 
CCU continued to climb the hill in the second half, trying to close the consistent 5-10 point gap between them and the Orediggers.  The Cougs #30 Marcus Fager had three blocks within the first 10 minutes of the second half helping CCU to get a little closer 57-51.  The Cougars worked hard and shot better than CSM, but were limited by the whistle….and it hurt.  CCU tallied 26 fouls, with two players fouling out.  Mines had 41 rebounds compared to the Cougs 22. 
 
Isaiah Hanson led Christian with 22 points and Hildenbrand had 11, shooting 100%.  Tyler Murrell led in rebounds with five and had four assists.
 
Head Coach Jeff Hironaka remarked "The game was won on the boards.  They had 38 points off rebounds and second chance points.  We competed but when it was all said and done the putbacks and turnovers did us in"
 
CCU will play at Fort Lewis College Saturday, Jan. 27^th at 3:00 PM .