GUNNISON, CO – The first road game of 2021 started with optimism for a win but left the Cougars waiting until next week for a New Year victory.  

Despite a strong offensive performance at the beginning the Cougars couldn't keep burying shots from all over the court as Western Colorado nabbed a 102-87 victory on Saturday evening

It was the only game of the weekend for Colorado Christian as Friday's scheduled game at Fort Lewis was postponed due to a COVID-19 positive test within the Skyhawks program.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The first half was a picture of offensive execution. Colorado Christian hit just under 70 percent of their shots. Aside from a brief scoring drought midway through the stanza, scoring came easy for the Cougars. In the opening 20 minutes they hit nine of their 16 attempts from behind the arc. Meanwhile the home team hit 10 three-pointers and nailed 53.1 percent of their field goal attempts as they took a 49-48 lead into the locker room.

Inside the three-point line the teams combined to miss just three of their 19 field goal attempts with the Cougars missing just one of their 10 shots. The Mountaineers connected on seven of their nine opportunities.

Unfortunately, an anticipated second half of sizzling offense, didn't transpire for Colorado Christian. Western Colorado was able to keep steady as they shot better than 50 percent from the floor as they grew a lead as large as 15 points. The home team took a double figure lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. The Cougars got as close as 10 points down the stretch but could not get their deficit to single digits.

COUGAR LEADERS: Ross Williams, who hit his season average of 23 points in the first half, finished the game with 28 on an 11-of-20 shooting effort. Meanwhile, in just his third game with the program, DJ McDonald scored 24 points on the strength of seven made shots from behind the arc. The junior transfer missed just one three-point attempt. Each player had a team best four assists.

Andy Stafford registered a 16-point, eight-rebound effort while Justin Engesser added 11 points with seven rebounds

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Cougars shot at least 50 percent from behind the arc for the third time this season (15-for-29)
• McDonald's seven made three-pointers tied an RMAC season high
• Western Colorado made 18 attempts from deep which set a conference season best effort

UP NEXT: The Cougars return to the friendly confines of the CCU Event Center for a Friday contest against Westminster. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.