The Mavericks came up short after Dixie State University’s (DSU) Jack Pagenkopf hit back-to-back step-back three-pointers to seal the game for the Trailblazers.  

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) faced one of their toughest challenges Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) against the number 23 in the nation in DSU. The Mavericks shot 45.5 percent from the field in the game, and they went 4-16 from behind the arc as they couldn’t get their inside out three-point looks to fall.

“Our transition defense and our baseline out of bounds defense wasn’t good enough in the first half, and we obviously turned the ball over too many times,” Coach Mike DeGeorge said. “So that led to a deficit and I thought we did a better job at all three of those in the second half, and it gave us a great chance to win the game, and then Pagenkopf hits a couple of big step backs that were tough shots that were the difference in the game.”  

Ethan Richardson led the Mavericks in scoring with 21 points as he shot 8-9 through 27 minutes and he made his living in the first half off the pick and roll as he scored 16 points in just the first. Late in the shot clock, the Trailblazers were trapping the ball handler on the screen and rolls with Richardson reaping the benefits as he ended up wide open in the paint. 

The opening ten minutes of the first half was tightly contested with the Trailblazers taking a five-point lead as they shot 54.5 percent from the field. The Mavericks were 0-7 from behind the arc in the first half, as they were forced to adjust to keep up with the DSU offense being led by their big man Hunter Schofield.  

The Mavericks adjustments were the story of the second half, as they were able to get back into the game as Jared Small scored 11 of his 17 points and they shot 44.4 percent from behind the arc in the second. CMU was outrebounded by six in the second half, as the Trailblazers were able to fend off the Mavericks comeback attempt behind Pagenkopf’s 18 points in the second.  

Pagenkopf scored the Trailblazers final eight points to seal the game with back-to-back between the legs step-back threes from the wing and two made free throws after the Mavericks fouled him to slow the game down.  

“We have an incredibly high ceiling and I thought we got closer to that tonight, but we still have a way to go,” Coach DeGeorge said. 

CMU’s next game will be Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Salt Lake City, Utah against Westminster College.