DENVER – Looking to build on a last second win just six days ago, the Colorado Christian men's basketball team could not get a stocking stuffer victory less than a week before Christmas.

Regis used a late scoring surge to notch a 71-66 win against the Cougars in the final contest of the calendar year.

HOW IT HAPPENED: A tightly played first half was inconsistent at times as the teams combined for 19 turnovers in the opening stanza. Regis held a lead as large as nine points (19-10) just before the midway point of the frame. Colorado Christian clamped down and they scored 16 of the next 25 points to pull within 28-26 at intermission.

Momentum went on both sides of the ball in the final 20 minutes as the Cougars started that swing with a 14-0 scoring spurt. Down by a 39-33 count with just under 16 minutes left, Colorado Christian scored those 14 straight points capped off by a Justin Engesser three-pointer with 11:47 remaining.

The home team responded with a scoring spree of their own. Regis, down 47-39, swung things their way as they took a 60-51 lead with just under five minutes left. One more rally was in the Cougars grasps. Aided by a pair of three-pointers from Collin Huun they tied the score at 60 with 3:29 left in regulation.

Neither team added a point on the scoreboard for nearly 90 seconds. Toni Rocak ended that drought with a three-point play to give the Rangers the lead for good. After Jake Hornick hit one of two free throws on their ensuing possession, Regis came down the court and got a three-pointer from Will Cranston-Lown. Colorado Christian never had the ball the rest of the game with a chance to tie or take the lead.

COUGAR LEADERS: Spencer Hoffman had a team high 18 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. Hornick also added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The senior also had five assists. Aidan Cantwell contributed a 15-point performance on the strength of three made shots from behind the arc.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The turnovers shrunk in the second half as there were 12 turnovers
• Colorado Christian won the rebounding battle 36-34
• Regis hit 52.1 percent of their second half field goal attempts

UP NEXT: The Cougars will enjoy the Christmas break before returning to RMAC play on Jan. 3 when they travel to CSU-Pueblo for a 7 p.m. tip-off.