On a night where the Mavericks were missing two crucial players in CJ Davis and Kabir West due to suspensions handed down earlier in the week, Colorado Mesa University fell to New Mexico Highlands 84-79.
The Mavericks had the lead for most the first half, until the four-minute mark where a turnover by Tanner Riley allowed the Cowboys to take the 28-27 lead and they never gave it up. CMU entered halftime down 40-36.
Down as many as 19 points in the second half, the Mavericks came back in the final minutes late to make it a game, but couldn’t get closer than four points. The comeback was made in large part to the Mavericks ability to put up 56 points in the paint.
However, it was abysmal three-point shooting that killed the Mavericks in the end. Going 2-27 (and really 1-26 as Connor Nichols made one final heave as the buzzer expired) on the night from deep proved to be CMU’s downfall in the end.
James Sylvester, who earned the starting spot in place of Davis, led the Mavericks in scoring with 21 on the night. Eimer Lopez was able to secure the double-double with 18 points and 10 boards.
As for the Cowboys, they were led to Ron Lawton who scored 18 points and recorded four steals and nine rebounds.
With the loss, the Mavericks move to 7-20 on the year and 6-15 in the conference. CMU will finish up their season tomorrow night against CSU-Pueblo for senior night at Brownson arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
