LAKEWOOD, CO – Looking to get on correct side of the win-loss column, the Cougars faced a daunting task on Saturday afternoon.
Facing nationally ranked St. Edward's, last seasons South Central Regional Finalist, the Cougars men's basketball squad dropped a 94-68 decision.
HOW IT HAPPENED: St. Edwards raced out to a 10-point lead (18-8) before the first frame's halfway point. Colorado Christian battled back to within 21-17 but the Hilltoppers pushed their lead again to double figures before taking a 48-38 lead into the locker room.
Less than seven minutes into the second half the 20th ranked Hilltoppers all but put the game out of reach. The visitors went on a 12-5 scoring spurt to stretch their lead to 17 points as Colorado Christian was forced to call a timeout. Down the stretch the Hilltoppers kept their lead at 20-plus points in claiming the victory.
Aiding in that win was their effort from behind the arc. St. Edward's hit 15 long range shots and more than half of their total field goal attempts came from three-point land (39 to 36)
COUGAR LEADERS: Spencer Hoffman scored a team high 19 points while Justin Engesser posted his second straight double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds). Jake Hornick scored 11 points and handed out five assists.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- St. Edward's held a 19-5 edge for second chance points
- The visitors notched a plus-33 edge for bench points
- Ashton Spears, the preseason Lone Star Player of the Year, had a game high 21 points
D2 CONFERENCE CHALLENGE: Saturday's game concluded the four-game set hosted at Colorado Christian between the RMAC and Lone Star conferences. Earlier in the day DBU posted a 67-66 win against Colorado Mesa. The Lone Star won all four games in the event.
UP NEXT: The Cougars hit the road for a pair of games in Idaho. The first of those two games at the Fairfield Inn Classic is against host Northwest Nazarene on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
