GOLDEN, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Jan. 19, 2013) - CSU-Pueblo nearly pulled out a classic win Saturday against Colorado School of Mines, finishing just inches short of converting a raucous comeback during a 72-69 loss.
CSU-Pueblo showed it meant business immediately against a Colorado School of Mines squad that was ranked #1 in the nation as recently as last season, jumping out to a 10-4 lead. But Mines responded with a 12-5 run to go up 16-15 on the ThunderWolves.
But CSU-Pueblo responded well to the run, staying close to the Orediggers and finishing the half on a 7-2 run, ending with a layup at the buzzer by Nate Tigner (Jr., Fort Worth, Texas) to give CSU-Pueblo a 36-35 halftime lead.
The Orediggers, though, began the second half hot, going on a 10-0 run that catapulted them to a 51-41 lead. To the Pack's credit, instead of rolling over, inched its way back into the game methodically, getting as close as 61-59 with 7:34 remaining before the Orediggers again separated itself with a 10-2 run, putting them up 69-61 with 3:19 remaining.
But CSU-Pueblo, led by a ball-hawk defense and the hot shooting of leading scorer Matt Rosenbaum (Jr., Sidney, Neb.), made a thunderous charge back into the game late, using two Rosenbaum threes and three steals to set up a classic finish.
The ThunderWolves tied the game up at 69-69 with two minutes remaining, but a questionable call during a would-be steal by Ryan Arel (Sr., Shawnee, Kan.) handstrung the ThunderWolves. Mines called a time out very near to the steal taking place, and as Arel had the ball free and clear, a delayed time out was called and the ball was given back to the Orediggers, who then responded with a jumper to take a 71-69 lead.
CSU-Pueblo couldn't tie it back up, missing a few three-point attempts, but got as close as one, 72-71, following a steal-and-score play by Tigner, with 15 seconds left. But the ensuing foul that resulted in two makes by Mines set up a three to tie for Arel, who couldn't convert the shot, ending the Pack's hopes for a win.
The loss halts a strong streak of excellence for the Pack, which entered Saturday having won four of its past five games. CSU-Pueblo, however, will again try for road wins next weekend as it aims to keep in the playoff conversation with matchups against Chadron State and Black Hills State on deck.
