Colorado Mesa University’s offense continued to hum to their tune Friday night after their 102-83 victory over Texas A&M- Commerce in the first game of the Comfort Inn Classic.
Several Mavericks contributed in this contest with 11 different scorers and a first half that saw CMU outscore the ions 55-32. The Mavericks jumped out to a 22-7 lead just six minutes into the game. After taking an early l6-4 lead, CMU didn’t face a deficit for the rest of the contest.
Senior Connor Nichols, fresh off being named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 28 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists last weekend, led the Mavericks in scoring with 19 points on 7-9 shooting. The 6’6 guard recorded his first double-double of the season as he nabbed 11 rebounds chipped in two assists and a steal.
CMU’s monstrous first half found them in complete control of the contest, and it helped to have contributors off the bench. Junior Jess Spivey scored 17 points on 6-11 shooting (3-7 from three) and had six rebounds. Kolton Peterson and Michael Skinner finished with 14 points each off the bench.
The Maverick’s bench scored 54 points, 18 points more than the first two games combined. With a lethal starting lineup that can light it up from three and a bench that can come onto the floor and create their own scoring opportunities, this Maverick offense can blossom into one of the best in the RMAC.
CMU jumped out to a 27-point lead just two minutes into the second half after Tommy Nuno scored a layup and nailed a pair of free throws. The Mavericks were 33-58 (56.9%) from the field, including 44% from long range, and have now shot above 53% in every game this season, including their 66% shooting night in the opener. The efficiency is right where they want it to start the season.
The Maverick’s defense also is in mid-season form as they held the Lions to 43.9% (29-66) shooting while limiting them from three-point range (11-36). The Lions’ 18 turnovers didn’t help matters much as it allowed the Mavericks to score 25 points off turnovers.
CMU jumped out to their biggest lead when Skinner raced down the floor on a fast break and delivered an emphatic dunk to give the Mavericks a 28 point lead. The Lions cut the lead down to 14 with 11 minutes to go but CMU broke it open and went on a 16-5 run over the next seven minutes.
The Mavericks won two the rebound battle by six (40 to 34) while outscoring the Lions 42-34 in the paint. The offensive momentum also got CMU to the charity stripe 35 times, where they converted 25 of those opportunities.
Trey Conrad led the Lions with 18 points. Reggie Reid was the other leading scorer with 17 points but was 1-9 from three with seven turnovers.
The Mavericks handed the Lions their first loss of the year and improved to 2-1.
