One too many turnovers doomed the Mavericks Saturday afternoon as Colorado Mesa University lost 84-72 to St. Edwards University in their second game of the D2 Conference Challenge. A second-half surge by the Hilltoppers made it difficult for the Mavericks to stage a late comeback as St. Edwards outscored CMU 39-33 in the second half.
Although the Mavericks outshot the Hilltoppers throughout the contest, it was the Hilltoppers who had more field goal opportunities. St. Edwards had was 32-72 (44.4%) from the floor while CMU shot 25-47 (53.2%). However, CMU committed 19 turnovers to St. Edwards’ 11, allowing the Hilltoppers to score 17 points off turnovers.
Both teams were neck and neck throughout the first half. There were seven lead changes during the first 13 minutes of the contest until the score was 29-29. The Hilltoppers went on a 14-4 run with two minutes left in the first half to nab a 43-34 lead. A layup by Conner Nichols cut the Hilltoppers lead to 45-39 to close out the half.
Nichols had another solid game after scoring a career-high 32 points on 10-16 shooting. The senior was a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line.
The Mavericks cut the Hilltoppers’ lead to two three minutes into the second half but the shots started to fall with ease for St. Edwards. Ashton Spears and Dorian Lopez began to catch fire cutting through the lane and hitting threes to increase the Hilltopper lead. Spears, who finished with a team-high 25 points, drained a three to make it 55-50. Lopez hit another three to make it 61-52.
More consistent offense from St. Edwards began to derail the Mavericks and Spears drained a three-pointer with five minutes left to secure the biggest lead of the night with the score at 82-66.
CMU was just 5-12 from three while Spears alone was 7-13. The Mavericks won the rebound battle for the second straight game 34-32 with Nichols pulling down nine rebounds which led all players.
CMU received 12 bench points and had just one other player in double figures with center Damon Dubots scoring 10 points on 4-6 shooting. Even with the Mavericks making 17-22 from the three throw line, the team scored just two points on fast break opportunities. Sam Walters, who scored 19 points in the Maverick’s previous contest, scored just three after hitting one three-pointer in the game.
The Mavericks offense has shown flashes of efficiency through their first two games with their defense also playing a pivotal part in their identity. With Nichols playing some of his best basketball and others contributing extensively on both aspects of the game, this could be the start of a huge run for the Mavericks.
CMU will continue their neutral site games next weekend in Gunnison, CO at the Comfort Inn Classic. The Mavericks will face Texas A&M- Commerce and Northern New Mexico College.
