Cougars Give Tough Test to Colorado Mesa
 
LAKEWOOD, CO- In a battle against one of the best teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Cougars gave Colorado Mesa all they could handle. In a game with a lot of momentum swings, Colorado Christian fell just short, falling to the Mavericks 68-63.

 "To come back and do a good job all the way to the end I think speaks volumes to what we're trying to do as a program, and it gives the fans here something to get excited about that our team will compete for as long as there is time on the clock" said head coach Liam Simmons.

HOW IT HAPPENED- The Cougars opened their RMAC opener with a bang, scoring nine of the games first 11 points. DJ McDonald drilled an early three, and Andy Stafford hit consecutive shots to pull Colorado Christian ahead 9-2 early.

The Mavericks made a push to level the score at 11, but Stafford responded with a several threes to push the Cougars ahead yet again. The fight continued to the end of the half as Colorado Mesa took a 27-24 lead into the break.

Several threes from the Mavericks out of the half put the Cougars in an early hole, but they immediately retaliated with an and 1 from Isaiah Alonzo to pull within six. A methodical offensive approach and smothering defense helped Colorado Mesa to a 19-point lead, but Ross Williams made sure his team did not go down without a fight.

Williams poured in point after point, and a bucket from deep had Colorado Christian within seven with 3:58 to go. However, the veteran experience of the Mavericks would not allow the comeback reach its end goal, and Colorado Mesa held on for a 68-63 victory.

COUGARS LEADERS:
Williams poured in 19 points to lead the Cougars, while Alonzo snagged 10 rebounds. Williams and McDonald each had two assists.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The Cougars outscored Mesa 13-7 on second chance points
• Points in the paint was tight but went Colorado Christian's way by a tally of 24-22
• The game was tied four times throughout

UP NEXT- Colorado Christian returns to action December 5^th against Westminster College at 3 p.m at the CCU Event Center.