After a controversial loss at the buzzer last meeting, the CMU men’s basketball team  (11-10, 9-8 RMAC) faced off against New Mexico Highlands with revenge on their minds.

The Mavs trailed early, but after a few threes by redshirt freshman Mike Melillo, the Mavs exploded on a 23-0 run. Early in the run with the score at 7-4, tempers flared as Colton Burgon was issued a flagrant foul and a shoving match ensued. However, the Mavs kept momentum going. The Mavs went into the locker room with a 45-24 lead.

“The whole stretch in the first half was really important,” coach Jim Heaps said. “Obviously, Melillo and Jeff Hart played great and we just need those kids to be more aggressive.”

Melillo led the Mavs at the half with 11 points and two rebounds. Hart added nine points and Daniel Estes chipped in with three assists.

The second half wasn’t much different as the Mavs increased their lead to as much as 31 points while holding Highlands to 32 percent shooting from the field and causing 17 turnovers. The Mavs were able to close the game and come away with the win, 78-60.

Hart finished with 25 points and eight rebounds while Melillo scored 17 points, going 4-6 from behind the arc. Colton Burgon and Kevin Screen both had six points and two rebounds, with Blake Francom and Chandler Burgon each scoring five points.

On Saturday night, Western New Mexico paid a visit to Brownson Arena. The Mavs were able to topple the Mustangs 67-57.

The Mavs came out with a slow start, struggling to pull away. No team led by more than four points in the first half as CMU went in with a 30-26 halftime lead.

Landon Vermeer and Colton Burgon led the Mavs at half with six points each followed by Nate Nelson and Shawn King with four points.

In the second half, the Mavs boosted their lead to as much as 15, never giving up the lead. Colton Burgon had a game-high 23 points and added six rebounds but was the only Maverick scorer in double figures. Despite struggling from the field, Melillo was able to grab 11 rebounds and the CMU bench scored 49 of the 67 points in the game.

“We seemed flat to start,” Heaps sad. “When that happens you usually go to your bench and I thought they really gave us a lift on both ends.”

The Mavs will take on Western State College in their final home game of the year on Saturday at Brownson Arena.