SILVER CITY, NM (Drag's Court) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team used two large leads to cruise past Western New Mexico University 88-69 Friday at Drag's Court in Silver City, NM.
CSU-Pueblo (6-4, 3-2 RMAC) opened the game on a 23-5 run in the first 6:58, led by Bronson Moton (Jr., Aurora, Colo.) who hit three jumpers and went 1-for-1 from the charity stripe in that time. Four different Pack players also scored in that time to build the commanding lead.
Following a timeout, Western New Mexico went on a 12-5 run before Alexander Marriex (Jr., Parkhill, Colo.) connected on a 3-pointer to extend the Pack lead 31-17 and slow the Mustangs' momentum with 7:51 remaining in the first half.
CSU-Pueblo went 6-for-24 (25.0%) from behind the arc through the first half. Devonte Malcolm (Sr., Sierra Vista, Ariz.) connected on three of his game-high four 3-pointers in the first half, finishing with 12 points in the game.
The quick-pace used by the Pack early in the game was slowed by halftime as the Mustangs cut into the lead as CSU-Pueblo led 43-39 at halftime.
In the second half, WNMU came within two (49-47) on a 3-point basket from Gavin Wood with 17:37 left.
Following a CSU-Pueblo timeout, the Pack erupted to go on a 21-0 run, highlighted by five 3-pointers, to extend its lead 70-47 with 11:36 remaining in regulation.
Matching basket-for-basket over the next five minutes, the Pack held a 42-39 rebounding advantage for the game including connecting on 14-of-47 shooting from beyond the 3-point line.
CSU-Pueblo's defense held the Mustangs to just 35.2% (19-for-54) from the field and held an 18-point lead throughout the final seven minutes.
Stevan Radakovic (So., Belgrade, Serbia) paced the ThunderWolves, finishing with a season-high fifteen points and eight rebounds.
Jed Knafelc (Sr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) had twelve points, all coming by way of the 3-point basket, finishing 4-for-11 from behind the arc.
Five Pack players finished the game in double-figures, Radakovic (15), Knafelc (12), Malcolm (12), Spikes (11) and Tyrone Marshall (Sr., Denver, Colo.), finishing with 14 points.
CSU-Pueblo will continue its New Mexico trip Saturday when it plays at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at John A. Wilson Complex.
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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.
