LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars hosted their first game of the new year on Friday evening as they welcomed Northern New Mexico College into the CCU Event Center. Led by balanced shooting and a smothering defense, the hosts pulled away for an impressive 77-56 victory to get 2025 started off the right way. 

Shaylen Woodberry scored the first points of the new year with a three-pointer, and Promise Idiaru ignited his team with a two handed slam off a feed from Schafer Reichart. Woodberry continued to shoot well from deep with another three, but the Eagles fought their way to a 17-12 advantage at the 14 minute mark. Jacob Everson then connected from beyond the arc to put his team back in front, and CCU found themselves just barely behind 22-21 midway through the first half. 

With the offense yet to catch fire fully, the Cougars got going with a massive 14-0 run keyed by a barrage from downtown. Idiaru converted a three-point play before Bobby McWard hit a three. Woodberry splashed in his third three of the night, and Bradley Land sank one from deep for the 33-22 lead. Lincoln Cantrall hit the eighth three of the half for his team, and Tanner Hecht closed the half with a free throw as the Cougars pulled ahead 43-27 at the break. 

The offense continued to find their rhythm in the second half as McWard and Idiaru came out with quick jumpers sandwiched by a three from McWard. Heading to the final 10 minutes of play the Cougars were in control leading 54-37. 

Woodberry continued his red hot shooting with another three-pointer, and Land tacked on a one-handed dunk with his left hand to get the crowd going. McWard splashed in another three while Idiaru slammed home another two-handed dunk. With both teams in the double bonus, the rest of the game slowed down and consisted largely of free throws, and CCU closed the scoring with a pair of free throws from Nathaniel Law to pick up the dominant 77-56 victory. 

Woodberry paced the offense, shooting 5-7 from three-point range and scoring 16 points. Land followed with a strong 15 points while McWard and Idiaru tacked on 12 and 11 points respectively. Reichart pulled down a team high 8 rebounds and dished out 6 assists, and Idiaru was a force around the rim with 4 blocks. 

The Cougars will resume RMAC play at home on January 7 as they host UCCS with tipoff slated for 7 p.m. MST.