LAKEWOOD, CO - The Cougs played their final home matchup before RMAC play as they took on the visiting Mustangs from Western New Mexico University Wednesday evening. The game saw 18 lead changes as the Mustangs ultimately pulled away with the victory, 85-79. 

CCU came out firing on all cylinders, quickly leading the Mustangs 26-11 in the first 9 minutes. Lincoln Cantrall found the first points of the game, draining a three-pointer from deep. Porter Bazil quickly found his rhythm, as the junior started hot, dropping 15 points in less than 5 minutes. 

Western New Mexico were able to claw their way back from the early 15-point deficit, dropping two quick threes, alongside 2 fast breaks and a layup. Porter Bazil responded, adding to his already stellar night with a slam dunk to find the Cougars leading 28-23. The Mustangs continued to chip away, finding their first lead of the night with just 5 minutes left in the first half. Lincoln Cantrall and Joshua Reid dropped three pointers each to surge ahead, as CCU battled to half, leading the Mustangs 39-38. 

The dogfight continued right out the gate, as Western New Mexico found the first bucket of the second half to take the one-point lead. This was just the start of the back-and-forth grind between the two teams. Lincoln Cantrall and Ezra Guest each contributed with two more three-pointers, quickly responded to the visiting Mustangs. The Bazil brothers, Joshua Reid, and Andrew Reichart continued to battle each adding to the score sheet, as the teams found themselves tied at 79 points apiece with two and a half minutes to go. 

Neither team was able to find the edge for the next 90 seconds, until Western New Mexico hit a jumper to take the lead with just one minute to go. The Mustangs displayed their final defensive efforts, forcing a missed layup that would have tied the game with just 30 seconds left. A set of fouls would lead the Mustangs to close out the game 85-79. 

The Bazil brothers had a combined 44 points, Porter leading the team with 30, Pierce in pursuit with 14 points. Lincoln Cantrall continued to show his danger from deep with 3 threes, while Ezra Guest remained a steady presence with a team-leading 9 assists. 

Now sitting 2-3 on the season, the Cougars will travel to Chadron, Nebraska, to face the Eagles, with tip-off set at 1:30 p.m. MST on November 30.