mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Men’s basketball began conference play on the road last weekend in Nebraska and South Dakota to play RMAC opponents Chadron State and Black Hills State. The Mavs swept both games, beating Chadron State for the fifth time in their last seven meetings, 77-62, and taking down Black Hills State in the teams’ first meeting as RMAC opponents, 86-72, not letting the travelling affect them.

“Coach always keeps us pretty well prepared and ready to go,” Vermeer said. “We are a more experienced team this year, so I don’t think those things affect us as much.”

CMU was dominant in their conference opener against the Eagles, opening up the game with an 18-3 run and leading 23-11 midway through the first half. Chadron put together a run of their own to take a one-point lead with under 10 minutes to go in the half, but another surge of points by the Mavs gave them a 33-29 lead at halftime.

In the second half, seniors Colton Burgon and Jeff Hart put together a 13-0 scoring streak to make sure they never trailed again en route to their 15-point victory. Burgon finished with 26 points, three assists and six rebounds, followed by Hart with 13 points and sophomore Mike Mellilo with 11 points, three assists and three rebounds.

The Mavs made the 150-mile trip north from Chadron to Spearfish, South Dakota, looking to go 2-0 in RMAC play against the Yellow Jackets.

The Mavericks struggled early and were unable to take the lead until 10 minutes into the first half. However, they ended the half on a 13-3 run, giving them a two-point lead, which included a four-point play by Kevin Screen.

The Yellow Jackets continued to battle in the second half and were able to regain the lead with only six minutes left. Vermeer hit back-to-back three pointers and Hart recorded a field goal and a free throw to start a 25-11 run that sealed the game.

The Mavericks had four players score in double-digits, with two of them coming off of the bench. Burgon once again lead all Mavericks with 19 points, two assists and nine rebounds. Hart added 17 points and Vermeer came into the game to add 15 points and four assists. Freshman Ryan Stephen also contributed 14 points of his own.

CMU’s win over Black Hills State extends their winning streak to four games, which Vermeer credits to the poise of the team and the outstanding defense they’ve played so far.

“We’ve been going on a lot of big runs during games and have stayed collected when other teams come right back,” Vermeer said. “We have been getting some big stops defensively, which lead right into our fastbreaks and helps put teams away in the second half.”

They return home to Grand Junction for their next conference games against Western New Mexico (3-3, 2-0 RMAC) and New Mexico Highlands (3-2, 1-1 RMAC) beginning this Friday at 7:30.