LAKEWOOD, CO -  The Cougars took their home court again to face St. Edwards University in the D2 Conference Challenge. Both teams came out playing strong and after a close fight at the end the Cougars ultimately fell 74-71 to the Hilltoppers.

The match-up started with a large and electric crowd once again, but the Hilltoppers came out strong to take the early lead of 7-0. Shaylen Woodberry and Bobby McWard drained a pair of threes to put the Cougars on the board, and Tate Odvody collected a couple points of his own. A momentous blocked ball led to a Cougar rebound for a layup from Bradley Land and Lincoln Cantrall sunk a three pointer. A strong defensive effort from the Cougars and a few turnovers from the Hilltoppers brought the Cougars back 23-25, but left the half trailing 25-31. 

Trailing to start the second half, the Cougars came out with a rebound and a dunk from CJ Barnes to set the tone. A technical foul from the Hilltoppers gave Jacob Everson the chance to sink a couple of points and a layup from Promise Idiaru to brought the Cougars within three. Despite a turnover and a steal from Idiaru, the Cougars trailed 42-33. Coming out of the media timeout, McWard earned himself two more points, and  Odvody claimed a couple free points himself.

Down 57-44 halfway through the second half, a monster dunk from Nate Law and a rebound from Idiaru shortened the opponents lead, and a steal turned into a dunk by Land brought the deficit to only seven points. The Cougars pressed hard which led to two three-pointers by Woodberry and were a strong defensive powerhouse as the end of the game was near. A block from Idiaru gave Odvody the chance to sink a three, along with a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game. As the game inched closer to the end, Woodberry sunk his fourth three, paired with a jumper from Idiaru. The Cougars fought until the end but lost the close battle 74-71.

Odvody and McWard both led offensively scoring 13 points each with Odvody claiming 7 free throws, and Woodberry following with an impressive 12 points. Idiaru defensively earned 5 rebounds and Schafer Reichart tallied 7 assists. 

The Cougars are on the road next as they head to Seaside, California where they will face California State University Monterey Bay at 2pm MST, November 17th.