PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Dec. 7, 2012) - If there's one thing CSU-Pueblo has learned so far this season, it's to never underestimate what could happen in the final minute.
Friday, it was the ThunderWolves that seized opportunities in the final minute, albeit during a colorful flurry in the final minute of the first half, that served as the impetus for a 82-58 win over Regis.
The Pack and Rangers were mired in a back-and-forth game in the first half as CSU-Pueblo led 28-26 with two minutes remaining in the period. But Regis began making mental mistakes, committing three turnovers, a foul and missing free throws, which led to CSU-Pueblo to salivate and take advantage.
Led by Wendell Lee (Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.) on the wing and Nate Tigner (Jr., Fort Worth, Texas) in the backcourt, CSU-Pueblo went on an 8-1 run in limited time, including a turnover with three seconds left that led to a Tigner pull-up jumper as time expired to give CSU-Pueblo a sudden 37-27 lead at the break that the Rangers couldn't recover from.
Careful to not let their lead go the way of its previous close games this season, which reeked of buzzer-beaters and missed opportunities that led to the Pack's 1-7 start, the ThunderWolves focused its game down low in the second half, feeding post Matt Rosenbaum (Jr., Sidney, Neb.) on multiple occasions. Rosenbaum netted the Pack's first seven points of the second half, part of his 14 points overall, as the Pack built on its double-digit lead and rode it to victory.
In the end, the ThunderWolves displayed a mentally-solid game, only committing six turnovers, shooting 50 percent from the field and hitting 85 percent of its free throw attempts. Taking out three-point attempts, the Pack shot 10-for-14, or 72 percent, from the field in the first half and 66 percent on two-point field goals throughout the game.
CSU-Pueblo will seriously test its mettle Saturday night when it hosts third-ranked Metro State, looking to claim its first win over the Roadrunners since 1998 and knock off its second Elite Eight team this season.
