LAKEWOOD, CO – Winning on senior night always feels extra special.
Colorado Christian started strong and held off a Black Hills State comeback attempt to post an 87-82 victory on Friday evening.
Prior the contest the Cougars honored seniors Justin Engesser and Aidan Cantwell before claiming its second victory in three days.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cougars made their first five three-pointers as they raced out to a 15-5 lead less than 15 minutes into the contest. Colorado Christian's long distance shooting performance extended to eight consecutive makes which played a significant factor in their 43-37 halftime lead.
The home team bolstered a 56 percent (14-for-25) shooting percentage in the opening half while holding the Yellow Jackets to a 9-for-30 effort. However, Black Hills State made 15 of their 19 free throw attempts to kept the contest close at the break. The Cougars never trailed in the first 20 minutes.
Colorado Christian continued to hold its lead and eventually pulled ahead 65-51 after Andy Stafford drained a three-pointer with just over 10 minutes left. However, Black Hills State put together a significant scoring spurt over the next three-plus minutes as they closed their deficit to 67-66.
The Yellow Jackets took their first lead of the game (68-67) with just under six minutes remaining. The lead continued to change hands as the final minutes ticked away with neither team holding a lead more than three points. Staffford gave the Cougars a 79-76 lead with 1:02 left. Black Hills State came up empty on their next possession then Ross Williams upped Colorado Christian's edge to 81-76.
During the last moments the teams traded numerous foul shots but the Yellow Jackets never had a possession to tie or take the lead.
COUGAR LEADERS: Stafford scored a career high 30 points while grabbing a team high nine rebounds. Williams went 11-for-11 from the foul line en route to his 21-point effort. Engesser added 11 points while playing 37 minutes.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
The Cougars had just seven turnovers; second fewest in a game this season
Colorado Christian went to the foul line a season high 29 times; making 25
The Cougars hit exactly half of their 50 field goal attempts
UP NEXT: The Cougars close out the season on Saturday evening when they host Chadron State for a 7 p.m. contest.
