Expectations are high for this season’s men’s basketball team, and they delivered in their first two games. Redshirt sophomore Mac Riniker drove baseline and dunked over two defenders for the first points of the 2022-23 season.

The Mavericks played host this year for the D2 Conference Challenge. The challenge is a non-conference scheduling agreement between Colorado Mesa University (CMU), Saint Edward’s University (SEU), Dallas Baptist University (DBU) and Colorado Christian University. 

CMU has opened the season with games against SEU and DBU for eight of the last nine seasons, with one challenge canceled due to COVID-19. SEU was ranked fifth, and DBU was ranked second in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) pre-season coaches poll.

On the first night, CMU matched up with SEU. After the Riniker dunk, both teams struggled offensively as the Mavericks led 13-7 with just over 12 minutes in the first half.

SEU then found their stride and were consistently knocking down long range jumpers and led at halftime 35-37. They continued to make shots, but the Mavericks stayed close and SEU led 54-53. 

With just under nine minutes left, CMU took the lead and never looked back. Redshirt sophomore Trevor Baskin took over in the closing frame of the game, from dunks to three pointers. The forward finished the game with 26 points on 9/13 shooting, and grabbed nine rebounds.

“I felt like I had a matchup wherever I went. They kept overplaying me, expecting me to go off of one, but the jump hook is faithful. My teammates did a great job of creating advantages for me where I could finish,” Baskin said.

Redshirt sophomore Blaise Threatt also got going in the second half, leading the Mavericks at the guard position. A personal 5-0 scoring run made the game 78-64 and closed the door on any SEU comeback.

“With the responsibility of being the main guard, it’s my job to bring energy. I’ve noticed when we start slow, it’s because I start slow. Bringing energy is my main focus, not just for myself but the whole team,” Threatt said.

CMU ultimately won 81-64 in the game. The Mavericks shot 53% to SEU’s 35% and outscored them 42-12 in the paint.

The second night, the Mavericks faced off against DBU. Once again, CMU set the tone early jumping out to a 12-4 lead. However, both teams played solid defensively, and the first half ended 27-23 in favor of the Mavericks

In the second half, the newly constructed CMU offense showed its growing pains. While the Mavericks racked up 18 assists on the night, they also committed 17 turnovers.

In a game where the offense wasn’t clicking, defense and discipline were crucial. After holding SEU’s best player to 3/14, Riniker continued to display his defensive versatility and anchored the Maverick defense.

“We have the luxury of having a Mac Riniker. We can basically put him on anyone on the floor, and he’s going to give it everything he has. Physically, he can guard one through five,” head men’s basketball coach Mike DeGeorge said.

With just over four minutes left, CMU led 55-53, after a Riniker dunk and a redshirt sophomore Isaac Jessup three pointer. The Maverick defense continued to lock down and held SEU without a field goal for the remaining 4:14. 

Threatt and the rest of the Mavericks were then able to close the game with layups and late game free throws, winning 68-56. Threatt had a double double with 15 points and 14 rebounds,  and redshirt sophomore Reece Johnson finished with 14 points, shooting 3/6 from three.

“Competitiveness is certainly not our problem, this group believes and fights to the end. Their ball screen coverage confused us a little bit, and we were disjointed mentally. But the great thing about this group is that it doesn’t affect their defense or their competitive spirit. It’s very impressive they were able to do that on a night where we were disjointed offensively,” DeGeorge said.

After the Mavericks took down DBU, it made it the first time that CMU has gone 2-0 in the D2 conference challenge. The team potentially could be ranked top 25 nationally this week with the wins.

The Mavericks travel to Texas this weekend to take on two more LSC opponents, Texas A&M University- Kingsville on Friday and Texas A&M International on Saturday, who both are also 2-0.