LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars kicked off the 2024-25 campaign with a home matchup against #5 Dallas Baptist University on Friday. CCU gave the Patriots all they could handle, but in the end the visitors came away with the narrow victory 76-67. 

A large crowd was on hand to view the first game of the season for the Cougars, and CJ Barnes scored the first points of the season early. Promise Idiaru got his first points as a Cougar moments later, and Bradley Land got in on the action with a layup of his own. The Patriots played a full court press the majority of the game, using a smothering defense to go ahead 26-16 midway through the half. Nathaniel Law got an and 1 to fall, and Land drilled a three-pointer to close the half as his team trailed 48-30 at the break. 

CCU came out with fire in the second half as layups from Land and Schafer Reichart began to cut into the lead. The home team hung around, and a pair of free throws made by Ezra Guest made it just a nine point game as the crowd began to get loud. Bobby McWard knocked down a pair from the stripe to cut the lead to just six for DBU, but the visitors responded with some lockdown defense and a pair of baskets as they managed to stave off the comeback and claim a win 76-67. 

Land led the offensive effort with 22 points, while Shaylen Woodberry followed with 15. Land recorded the double-double with 11 rebounds, and Jacob Everson dished out a team high 5 assists. 

The Cougars are back at home tomorrow November 9 at 1 p.m. MST as they take on the visiting St. Edwards Hilltoppers.