COLORADO SPRINGS – The Cougars showed grit and determination but came away with heartbreak.
Despite overcoming a double digit first half deficit, Colorado Christian fell in an RMAC thriller against UC Colorado Springs 73-70 on Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Despite trailing 30-14 with just under six minutes left until halftime, Colorado Christian mounted a charge. They scored 18 of the period's last 24 points to head into locker room down just four points (36-32). At the break Jake Hornick led the way with a 13-point frame.
As the opening minutes of the second half expired, the Cougars took their first lead since the game's early stages. With 8:33 remaining, Hornick hit a jumper to give his team a 58-53 edge and the largest lead of the contest for Colorado Christian.
Down the stretch the Cougars had a three-point lead with 1:33 left after a technical foul shot from Hornick and a pair of freebies from Spencer Hoffman. However, Padiet Wang hit a three-pointer with 1:04 remaining to knot the score at 70-70. After a missed three-point attempt by Justin Engesser on Colorado Christian's next possession, the home team took the lead when Wang slammed home an ally- opportunity with 13 ticks remaining.
On Colorado Christian's final possession they worked the ball to Christian Hyatt in the corner whose floating jumper rattled off the rim and out. Wang grabbed the rebound with four-tenths of a second left then hit one of two foul shots for the game's final points.
COUGAR LEADERS: Hornick had his best game as a Cougar with a career best 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He dished out a game high five assists while grabbing five rebounds.
Hoffman posted his second consecutive double-double with a 12-point, 10-rebound effort. Engesser continued his steady effort this season with 16 points.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- The game featured 11 lead changes and nine ties
- Colorado Christian made eight of their 19 three-point attempts
- The Cougars tied their season low with 10 turnovers
UP NEXT: The Cougars head into a lengthy break for the holidays. Their next game will be a Friday, Jan. 4 home contest against Colorado State Pueblo at 7:00 p.m.
