The Mavericks toppled the No. 12 team in the nation as they came away with an 86-80 win over Regis University (RU).
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) shot 60% from the field and they shot 55.6% from beyond the three-point arc. The Mavericks scored 44 points in the paint, and they had six different players score in double-figures. CMU’s ball movement allowed them to win the game as they compiled 21 assists and were constantly looking to make the extra pass for a better look at the basket.
Redshirt freshman guard Reece Johnson scored a game-high and a career-high 25 points against the Rangers. Johnson shot eight of 12 from the field and he went five of six from beyond the arc in the game.
RU scored four straight points to get on the board first. Two minutes later, the Mavericks went on a six to two-run to tie the game at six with 16:46 left in the first half. Both teams traded two more baskets as the game remained tied with 15:14 left in the half.
The Rangers were able to build a six-point lead as Brayden Carter hit a three-pointer. CMU cut the lead back down to one point with 11:03 left in the half, but RU immediately answered with another three-pointer to go up 21-17.
The Rangers continued their offensive outburst as they built a 36-23 lead with 5:34 left in the first half. Johnson and redshirt freshman guard Blaise Threatt cut the Rangers lead down to five points three minutes later.
Redshirt senior guard Georgie Dancer continued the Mavericks 12 to nothing run as he tied the game up at 40 with 1:47 left in the first half. Brian Dawson answered with the final basket of the first half as he hit a three-pointer to take a three-point lead going into the break.
The Maverick’s offense opened the second half by draining two straight three-pointers to take a 46-43 lead and they weren’t done just yet. They scored six straight points in the paint to take a nine-point lead with 17:35 left in the game.
The Rangers scored four straight points to try to get some momentum in the half, but Johnson answered with a three-pointer to keep CMU up by eight points. Threatt put the Mavericks up 60-48 with 13:41 left in the second half as he carved into the paint to finish at the rim.
The Maverick’s offense continued to build their lead as Johnson hit his fifth three-pointer of the game to give CMU a 68-53 lead. Troy Brady answered with two consecutive three-pointers of his own with 8:01 left in-game. Redshirt senior guard Jared Small hit a three-pointer of his own to keep the momentum in CMU’s favor.
Brady and Will Cranston-Lown were able to cut the lead down to 63-71 with 5:54 left in the game. CMU again had an answer to the Ranger’s offense as they scored six straight points to take a 14-point lead two minutes later.
RU tried to get back in the game as they went on an eight to four-run with 1:25 left in the game, but it was too little, too late. The Rangers hit two three-pointers and converted a three-point play in the final minute of the game, but CMU was able to hold on to win the game 86-80.
Both Threatt and Dancer scored 13 points in the game and they both dished out five assists in the game. Dancer shot five of eight from the floor and he made three shots from behind the arc in the game.
The Mavericks won the rebounding battle by a narrow margin as they pulled down 31 rebounds compared to the Ranger’s 27. Both teams pulled down seven offensive rebounds in the game.
CMU’s next game is Friday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. against Fort Lewis College in Grand Junction, Colo.
