Colorado Christian vs. Colorado Mesa
Saturday, Dec. 3 | 3:30 p.m.
Lakewood, CO (CCU Event Center)

• The Mavericks owns a seven-game winning streak against Colorado Christian
• Colorado Christians last posted a win in the series during the 2016-17 season (Jan. 14, 2017: W, 76-72)

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Colorado Christian vs. Westminster
Sunday, Dec. 4 | 3:00 p.m.
Lakewood, CO (CCU Event Center)

• Westminster has won eight of the team 10 all-times meetings
• The Cougars have won two of the five meetings in Lakewood
• Colorado Christian's last win vs. the Griffins came in Feb., 2020 (W, 85-75)

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Week in Review

The Cougars enter RMAC play on a two-game winning streak after posting home victories last weekend against University of the Southwest (NM) and Park-Gilbert (AZ). They are their Thanksgiving weekend with a 97-66 triumph on Friday against University of the Southwest on the strength of 16 made three-pointers. Just 24 hours later the Cougars knocked off the Buccaneers by a 76-54 count. In that game Colorado Christian made 13 shots from behind the arc.

From Behind the Arc

In their two wins last weekend the Cougars combined to make 29 three-pointers. In Friday's win against the University of the Southwest the 16 made three-pointers was tied for the third most in a single game in school history. Leading that effort was DJ McDonald. The transfer from UC Riverside tied the school record for most three-pointers made by a Colorado Christian player in a game with eight. The following day, Ross Williams made seven shots from deep as the team converted 13.

This season the Cougars have made 61 shots from distance; the third best mark in the RMAC. They are making 39.6 percent of their attempts, which is also the third best mark in the league.

Early Look at the Stats

Six games into the season, the Cougars are averaging 76.7 points per game which ranks 10th in the league. They have the fifth best scoring defense in the RMAC, as they are allowing opponents to score 67.7 points a contest. Colorado Christian is hitting 85.8 percent of their free throws, the top mark in the conference. The Cougars also lead the conference in field goal percentage defense as they allowing the opponents to shoot just 37.6 percent from the floor. 

Individually, Williams leads the RMAC in scoring (23.0 ppg) and is 19th in the nation in that category. In addition, he leads the league in three-pointers made per game (3.5). Isaiah Alonzo is grabbing 8.5 rebounds a game; the fourth best mark in the league. 

RMAC Player of the Week 

Two weeks ago, for the third time in his two seasons with the program, Ross Williams was named the league's best weekly offensive player. In two games against Yellowstone Christian, he averaged 35 points per game. The senior combined to shoot 25-for-40 in those two games while grabbing 19 total rebounds.

During Saturday's game he registered 33 points on a 12-for-15 shooting effort in 30 minutes. He made five of the seven three-pointers he attempted, dished out three assists and added three steals as well. In addition, he corralled eight rebounds.

Williams closed the weekend with one of the best scoring efforts in school history. His 37 points were fourth most in school history for a game. He connected on 13 of his 25 field goal attempts with a pair of steals. He tallied his second double-double of the season with an 11-rebound effort.

Newcomers All Around

There are 11 new faces to squad; four of which have previous collegiate playing experiences. The trio of Jason Gallant, Isaiah Alonzo and Nic Zeil all played at the NCAA level. 

Transfers (Previous School)
Isaiah Alonzo (Waynesburg College)
Jason Gallant (University of San Diego)
Darius Henderson (Rocky Mountain College)
Nic Zeil (Creighton)

Freshman
Christian Bento
Ben Moore (was student at CCU; newcomer to team)
Shaylen Woodberry

Redshirt
Tanner Hecht
Bradley Land
Schafer Reichart
Jake Simpson

RMAC Preseason Poll

The Cougars were picked to finish 14th in the preseason poll with Colorado Mesa, the defending league champion, being voted as the preseason favorite with 12 of a possible 15 first-place votes.

2021 RMAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Colorado Mesa (12) - 192
2. Colorado School of Mines (1) - 183
3. Black Hills State (1) - 163
4. UCCS - 134
5. Fort Lewis (1) - 132
6. New Mexico Highlands    - 116
7. MSU Denver - 115
8. Regis - 106
9. South Dakota Mines - 88
10. Westminster    - 83
11. Adams State    - 78
12. Chadron State - 62
13. Western Colorado - 58
14. Colorado Christian - 36
15. CSU Pueblo - 29

Head Coach - Liam Simmons 

The 2021-22 campaign is Liam Simmons second at Colorado Christian.

The Australian-born Simmons has most recently served as the head coach of the Franklin Bulls in New Zealand's National Basketball League. Simmons joins the Cougars staff with a wealth of knowledge and passion for the game.

During the 2018-2019 season Simmons stepped away from college basketball to focus his effort and energy on enhancing the skills of individual players at the NBA and professional level. As a skill development coach, Simmons based himself in Philadelphia and worked with several players, but dedicated his time and focus to specifically working parallel with the Philadelphia 76ers staff, supporting their coaches in the development of All-Star Ben Simmons.

Simmons has NCAA coaching experience at the Division I and II levels. In 2018 Simmons enjoyed an opportunity to work at University of California Riverside under fellow Australian, and mentor, head coach David Patrick. He also gained collegiate coaching experience at Southwest Baptist (MO) under head coach Clark Sheehy. Simmons spent four seasons (2014-2018) with the NCAA Division II school, earning a promotion in the final two seasons as the program's associate head coach. Before his four seasons with the Bearcats, he was an assistant coach at Nichols State (LA) during the 2013-14 campaign under head coach J.P. Piper.

In addition to his NCAA coaching experience, Simmons also made a stop for one season at NAIA San Diego Christian as an assistant coach. He also served as the head coach for the Northwest Christian High School (AZ) boys varsity team,

He earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2007 from San Diego Christian. Simmons also has a Master Degree in Education from Australian Catholic University in Melbourne (2008).