SALT LAKE CITY – Five players scored in double-figures as the Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team posted a 91-80 exhibition victory at Westminster College, Friday in the Westminster Tipoff Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The ThunderWolves were guided by 20 points from junior forward Bronson Moton (Aurora, Colo.), who shot 58.3 percent from the field (7-of-12) and hit on three, 3-pointers. His nine rebounds and four steals were both team-highs.
All five starters posted double-digits in points, led by Moton. Fellow newcomer, junior guard Rico Spikes (Merriville, Ind.) added 17 points, a team-best eight assists and six rebounds. Senior center Tyrone Marshall (Denver, Colo.) played a team-high 33 minutes and added 14 points and five rebounds, while junior Odessa Lear (G, Denver, Colo.) scored 12 and senior Jed Knafelc (G, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added 11 points.
As a team, the Pack shot 50.8 percent from the field and hit 9-of-21 (42.9 percent) from beyond the arc. CSU-Pueblo cleaned up the class by a 34-30 margin, dished out 22 assists and totaled 12 steals, while the Griffins recorded just three.
After trading baskets early, the teams were tied 6-6, but a ThunderWolves 9-0 run moved the road team to a 15-6 advantage with 15:21 remaining in the first half. The Griffins battled back and used a 15-6 run to even the score 21-21 halfway through the frame.
The score hovered around a one-possession game for the next five minutes before Westminster owned a slim 34-33 lead with five minutes showing on the first half game clock. The home team then posted an 8-5 run to hold a 42-38 lead with 1:50 remaining, but the Pack battled back and used a 6-2 run to close the half tied, 44-44, heading into the locker room.
The ThunderWolves came out of halftime and posted a 10-0 run to open the 54-44 lead with 17:19 left in regulation. Four different players scored during the run, which was started and finished by points from Moton.
Westminster then posted a 9-0 streak to cut the Pack lead to just one, but a Moton 3-pointer with 14:05 left capped a 9-0 in favor of the road team, as the ThunderWolves regained the double-figure lead at 63-53.
The CSU-Pueblo lead never dipped below eight the rest of the game, as the Pack posted the 11-point victory.
The ThunderWolves wrap the tournament and exhibition play Saturday with a 5 p.m. tipoff versus University of Montana Western.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
