The Mavericks started their road trip to Denver with a miraculous comeback, but the game ended in disappointment with a missed game-winner and a two-point loss against Regis University (RU).
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) trailed 27 points with 10:52 left in the second half but their 53 second-half points tied the game up with 1:55 left in the game. However, the Rangers scored four-points and the Mavericks got to the free-throw line to bring the game back within two points. With 2.2 seconds left in the game, senior Tommy Nuno had to force up a floater over his defender to try to tie the game again and send it into overtime.
Senior Michael Skinner led the Mavericks in scoring with 23 points along with four rebounds and five steals. Skinner scored 16 of his 23 in the second half as he led the comeback for the Mavericks.
The first half remained close for the first ten minutes of the half, but the Rangers stellar shooting helped them take control of the game as they shot 63.6 percent from the floor. CMU had 12 turnovers in the first with Regis forcing 11 of the turnovers allowed the Rangers to score 51 points.
The second half seemed like it was out of reach for the Mavericks, but CMU’s 66.7 percent shooting from behind the arc as they came back from being down 27 points. The Rangers turned the ball over nine times in the second half giving the Mavericks the opportunity to get back into the game. With 4:09 left in the game, CMU’s comeback was in full swing as they brought the game within 10-points and Nuno and Skinner scored the final 14-points for the Mavericks.
Junior Jared Small was the second-leading scorer for the Mavericks with 17 points and he added six rebounds to his performance.
The Maverick’s next game will be Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. against Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Co.
