LAS VEGAS, N.M. (GoThunderWolves.com - Jan. 31, 2014) - CSU-Pueblo used a flurry of points to close out the game Friday, claiming a 99-81 win over New Mexico Highlands.

The ThunderWolves scored 31 points in the final 11 minutes of the game, including a span where it scored on six straight possessions and built an 11-4 run that helped open up the Pack's first double-digit lead of the night with eight minutes left in the game, a margin it would never relinquish.

The star of the night was undoubtedly Julian Caldwell (Jr., Ontario, Calif.), who piled in a career-high 26 points, going a solid 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-7 on three-point attempts.  Point guard Nate Tigner (Sr., Fort Worth, Texas) was also firing on all cylinders, sending in 17 points to go along with 12 assists for the rare points/assists double-double.  A career-high was also turned in by Tyrone Marshall (Jr., Denver, Colo.), who scored 19 points and came up with seven rebounds and two blocks.

Overall, the Pack shot lights out, hitting 59.6 percent of its shots, 87 percent of its free throws, and even prevailing in a department that's often a weakness of the Pack - rebounds - our-boarding the Cowboys by three.

With the victory, CSU-Pueblo is now back in the conversation for a playoff berth, currently sitting in a fifth-place tie in the RMAC standings with an 8-6 conference mark.  CSU-Pueblo will try for a perfect weekend as it travels to Silver City, N.M. Saturday for a showdown with the Mustangs.  

The win was also the 400th career win for CSU-Pueblo head coach Ralph Turner, who is in his third season as head coach of the ThunderWolves.