LAKEWOOD, CO – Despite one of the best scoring performances in school history, the New Year effort fell just short on the scoreboard.

Ross Williams poured in 35 points but CSU Pueblo used a strong start to propel them to an 86-82 victory against the Cougars on Saturday evening.

The junior transfer went 14-for-22 from the field as all but two of his points came from the floor. It was the sixth highest single game scoring effort in school history.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Thunderwolves raced out to a 13-0 edge less than three minutes into the contest. While challenged down the stretch, CSU Pueblo didn't trail in the contest. The visitor's first half advantage reached 20 points (42-22) with 5:06 left until halftime. Colorado Christian completed the opening 20 minutes on a 14-6 scoring spurt to cut their deficit to 12-points at the break.

During the initial stanza each team converted over 50 percent of their field goal attempts as the CSU Pueblo hit 59.4 percent (19-for-32) while Colorado Christian nailed 51.6 percent (16-for-31) of their shots.

The second half rally continued for the Cougars. When Williams hit a three-pointer with 12:55 left, the home team found themselves down just 62-57. However, CSU Pueblo pushed their lead back to double figures and looked to be in a good spot for a 10-plus point win. It wasn't going to be that easy.

Colorado Christian gave themselves a legitimate change to complete their comeback when newcomer DJ McDonald's three-pointer, with just under two minutes left, brought the Cougars within 79-75. A CSU Pueblo turnover gave the Cougars an opportunity to pull closer but a baseline turnover thwarted that chance.

Still, down by that same four-point margin, the Cougars looked to close the gap with 30 seconds left but a Williams three-pointer didn't find the bottom of the net. An Andy Stafford three-pointer got the home team within three-points with just a few ticks of the clock remaining but the Thunderwolves sealed the win with a foul shot.

COUGARS LEADERS: In addition to his point total, Williams' 14 made field goal attempts are tied for the fifth most in school history in a single contest.

Stafford scored in double figures with a 17-point performance in 38 minutes. He also grabbed a team best seven rebounds. Newcomer Chol Adup came off the bench to score 11 points in 15 minutes during his Cougar debut.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Cougars hit 12 three-pointers which mark the sixth straight game they've hit at least 10
• Colorado Christian nailed 17 of their 27 attempts (63 percent) from the floor in the second half
• By hitting 56.9 percent of their shots from the floor, Colorado Christian set a season high

UP NEXT: The Cougars have a one-day turn around with a rare Sunday contest by hosting Adams State at 4 p.m.