Sports Reporter
The Mavericks’ three-game win streak ended on Saturday after opening RMAC play this weekend. After winning two games last weekend in the Holiday Inn/Airport Thanksgiving classic, the Mavericks began conference play against RMAC foes Chadron State and Black Hills State.
Friday night’s matchup against the Eagles from Chadron was a dominant effort from Maverick big man Ryan Stephan. Stephan set career high numbers with 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and led the way for the Mavericks’ first conference win of the season, 74-61.
“Coach had really pushed me this week,” Stephan said. “He kept telling me that it’s time to assert myself, since I am usually the biggest guy on the floor.” The game plan soon became getting the ball down low to Stephan, as the 6’10” sophomore took over the game.
“When Ryan (Stephan) plays like that, it opens up our whole offense,” said first year assistant coach Michael Dominguez. “Ryan is a great passer, and his play helped open up our guards and created lanes to the basket as well.”
Stephan said getting the ball down inside was key to opening up shooters like Landon Vermeer and Jerry Duckworth, because Chadron had to start helping down on the post.
Although the game was kept close due to a low 40 percent shooting from the field, the Mavs took full advantage of their trips to the free throw line, hitting 24 of 30 to keep the Eagles at bay.
The Mavs got another strong contribution from Vermeer, who has really stepped up this season as a sharp shooter. Carlos Perez came off the bench to give the Mavs 10 points. The win was the third straight for the Mavs.
The Mavericks then squared off against Black Hills State on Saturday, but a slow start doomed the Mavericks in this one.
After being down 11 points at the half with 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, the Mavs sparked a furious rally to get back into the game and take a lead with 2:32 remaining by way of a Vermeer three pointer.
Stephan put on another impressive performance with 16 points, but the effort was not enough to outlast the Yellow Jackets. BHSU converted four of their last five free throws to ice the game, and end the Mavs’ three game win streak 74-66. The 66 points for the Mavs was their lowest point total this season, and now fall to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
“The 10 turnovers in the first half is just unacceptable,” Stephan said. “We just can’t play like that if we expect to win the RMAC. We got off to that slow start, and we couldn’t get points in the paint which hurt our momentum.”
“We told our guys that it was going to be a dog fight in every game in the RMAC,” Dominguez said. “We can’t keep coming out slow every night if we expect to be successful. It’s an aggressive game, and we need to be the aggressors night in and night out.”
The Mavericks will travel to New Mexico this weekend to play Western New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands, in hopes of getting back on track in RMAC play.
ksparkhu@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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