Sports Reporter
A team loaded with seniors, the possibilities for the Mesa State Mavericks were almost endless when the season started.
Now with the team having cut down the nets at Brownson Arena, finishing on top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at the end of the regular season, the goals have increased greatly.
“It’s one step at a time,” junior Lance Fite said. “We are at where we need to be. Just another win after a big win.”
Despite losing three games in a row, the Mavs clinched the west division last Tuesday when Fort Lewis lost to Adams State.
After a four game road trip, the team played at home Friday beating CSU-Pueblo to seal up the regular season championship. Fite led the team with 17 points, but more importantly he played tough on defense, drawing three charges from the CSU-Pueblo offense.
Except for the chance to clinch the title, the biggest news of the day was the return of senior Jase Herl. Doctors said he was going to be out three to six weeks with an ankle sparain, but after only one week and three games, Herl was back on the court taking charge.
“It feels good right now,” Herl said. “It’s all about adrenaline and when I’m out there I don’t feel it at all. It was really hard watching the team from the bench because I wanted to be out there helping them out.”
Mesa State won the game 80-71 and clinched the RMAC season title. It was the first time since 1999 that the Mavs won the conference.
With the opening game of the RMAC tournament tonight on the team’s mind, they were still able to close out the regular season against New Mexico Highlands with a 83-75 victory.
Senior Mike Dominguez was able to help seal the victory going 10-10 from the free-throw line and finishing with 26 points. With the regular season over, the team has more on their mind.
“Our mission is not accomplished,” Herl said. “We still have a lot the we want to do and we are going to keep working hard and get it done.”
Home court advantage has been a huge part of this year’s success. The Mavs are 11-0 at Brownson Arena. It’s very important to the team that they play as many postseason games at home as possible.
“I love playing at here,” Herl said. “Tuesday is going to be tough for them and that’s why we want to play the tournament games at home.”
The team looks for a standing room only appearance from the Mesa State fan base as they host CSU-Pueblo for the second time in five days and third time overall this season. The game will take place at Brownson Arena tonight at 7 p.m. and the team wouldn’t want it any other way.
“We by far have the best fans in the country,” coach Jim Heaps said. “Both the students and the community give us such a lift and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in front of these guys.”
ahimes@mesastate.edu
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