LAS VEGAS, NM- The Cougars hit the road Friday to take on New Mexico Highlands. Colorado Christian nearly led wire-to-wire en route to a big 77-70 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED- The Cougars got the deep shot going early and often, starting with threes from Shaylen Woodberry, DJ McDonald and Andy Stafford to put their team ahead early. McDonald then completed a three-point play to pull his team ahead 14-5. Ross Williams connected from beyond the arc as the Cougars lead grew to 17-9.
Stafford hit a jumper, and another three from McDonald pushed Colorado Christian ahead 28-19. Williams converted a layup followed by a bucket from Christian Bento as the offense continued to click. A Williams three with under a minute in the half took the Cougars to the break leading 37-28.
The Cowboys made an early charge in the second half, but Stafford connected from deep to make sure his teams' lead stayed comfortable. Williams hit yet another three as the Cougars continued to shoot the lights out. Isaiah Alonzo converted back-to-back layups, but the Cowboys refused to go down without a fight.
A barrage of threes from New Mexico Highlands saw them come all the way back to take a 52-51 lead with 11:46 to play. The Cougars righted the ship, though, as a three-point play from Stafford capped a six point run to put his team back on top. With a five point lead in hand, the two teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Colorado Christian made clutch shots when they needed to as they claimed a 77-70 win.
COUGARS LEADERS:
The Cougars were led by Andy Stafford and DJ McDonald who each finished with 19 points followed by Ross Williams with 18. Stafford completed a double-double with 10 rebounds while Williams dished out three assists to pace his team.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
UP NEXT- Colorado Christian will now head to UCCS to take on the Mountain Lions at 7:30 p.m on January 22.
