LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars returned home on Friday night as they hosted CSU Pueblo inside the CCU Event Center. In a game that featured tons of offense and was thrilling throughout, Colorado Christian fell in a shootout by a final score of 95-87.
Nic Zeil quickly got the scoring started with a three-pointer on the opening possession of the game for the Cougars, and from there the offense just continued to pour in shots all night. The teams continued to battle as Jacob Everson drilled a trey later in the half. The two RMAC foes battled back and forth, and Bobby McWard tied things at 19 with a quick three off the bench. CSU Pueblo managed to pull ahead by five midway through the half as both teams looked for separation.
The two teams battled hard in an exciting finish to the half, as CCU trailed but never by much. Tate Odvody got a jumper to go, and Everson continued his strong play with a jumper to keep his team close. Zeil put a punctuation mark on the first half as he stole a ball away near the midcourt logo with four seconds and flashed to the basket for a two-handed slam that sent the teams to the locker room separated by just three points.
Noah Kon started the half with a jumper to make it a one point game, and Zeil gave his team the lead with 14:36 to go with a three-pointer. Bradley Land got open for a one handed slam to take his team back out in front moments later, and an Everson jumper and pair of Land free throws put CCU ahead by three. McWard connected for another three as the home team led 72=68 midway through the second half.
Zeil continued to make a huge impact, converting a three-point play for a five point lead, but the Thunderwolves would not go down easily. McWard connected on his third three of the game to send his team ahead 81-78, but the visitors went on a run after that. CSU Pueblo managed to take a six point lead with 5:47 to go, and they continued to lead by that margin even after McWard's fourth three-pointer of the night with 3:10 remaining in regulation. A dagger with 39 seconds remaining capped the scoring, as the visitors escaped with a highly competitive 95-87 victory.
Zeil and Kon led with 15 points apiece, while Zeil notched the double-double with 10 rebounds. Everson joined his teammates in double digits with 13 points, while McWard had a breakout game with 12 points on 4-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
The Cougars are back in action at the CCU Event Center on February 17 as they host New Mexico Highlands at 7 p.m. MST.
