LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars faced off against Westminster as they looked to climb in the RMAC standings on Friday night. They did just that, taking down the Griffins in a thrilling 75-72 victory in front of a raucous crowd. 

Noah Kon got the scoring started for his team with an early layup, while Jacob Everson got what would turn out to be a stellar night started with a jumper. The Cougars then got going from deep, starting with an Everson three followed by another from Shaylen Woodberry. Everson then connected for another three as the teams battled back and forth. Bradley Land tied things at 18 with a layup, and CCU took a one point lead into the final 10 minutes of the half.

Tate Odvody got a three-pointer to go, and a Schafer Reichart jumper made the lead 5 at 27-22. The teams battled back and forth from there, and a late Griffins basket sent the teams to the break with CCU leading 35-33. 

A five-point burst to start the second half from Nic Zeil gave the Cougars a five point lead as he connected on a three and made a layup. The Griffins hung around, refusing to let the hosts pull away by too many points. A pair of free throws midway through the half put Westminster on top by one at 54-53, but a Kon jumper and Zeil three gave the home team momentum. 

Trailing by one, Kon drilled a three-pointer, and later Everson pushed his team ahead five with another three. With a little under three minutes to go, the two teams stood knotted at 68 as crunch time arrived. Kon converted a layup, and Zeil rolled home yet another clutch three. Land made a contested layup to send his team ahead 75-72, and after a pair of empty possessions from both teams, the final shot from the Griffins missed to send the hosts to a thrilling 75-72 victory. 

Everson led the effort with 20 points, followed by Kon with 12 and Zeil with 11. Land was strong throughout, pouring in 8 points and 5 rebounds for his team. 

CCU plays again on January 13 as they host Colorado Mesa at 7 p.m. MST inside the CCU Event Center.