PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com – Feb. 16, 2014) – Nathan Tigner (Sr., Fort Worth, Texas) scored 27 points and doled out an impressive 11 assists as the Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team got off to a quick start before putting the visiting Adams State University Grizzlies away, 95-76, Saturday night in Massari Arena.
The victory, which completed a season-sweep of their southern Colorado rivals, improved the ThunderWolves to 13-9 overall and to 11-7 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. Adams State, which had won seven straight before suffering two losses in as many nights, fell to 14-8 overall and a game behind the Pack and Fort Lewis, tied for fourth, in the RMAC standings at 10-8.
CSU-Pueblo holds any direct head-to-head tie-breakers with Fort Lewis thanks to Friday's 71-55 win and a Dec. 7 win over the Skyhawks in Durango.
Colorado Christian, 11-8 in the RMAC, and 10-9 Colorado Mesa are also in the mix for a top four finish, which allows for the right to host a RMAC Shootout Quarterfinal game on Mar. 4.
On Saturday, Tigner hit both of his 3-pointers and had eight points in the first three minutes alone as the Pack jumped out to an 18-3 lead. They lead by double-figures for the rest of the first half, leading by as many as 19 before a 7-0 spurt over the final 1:08 of the first half brought the Grizzlies within 11 (53-42) at the break.
Another 9-4 spurt over the first 3:01 of the second half brought the visitors within six (57-51).
The Grizzlies would close to within three on two separate occasions before a 9-1 run over the middle stages of the second half put the Pack up by 11 before cruising to the win.
Matt Rosenbaum (Sr., Sidney, Neb.) had a lot to do with that as he tallied 15 of his 19 points in the second half.
Wendell Lee (Sr., Los Angeles, Calif.) also had 19 for the Pack, who had their five starters combine for 92 points. Lee hit on four of his six 3-point attempts throughout the evening.
Juwan Buchanan led the Grizzlies with 22 points.
CSU-Pueblo now goes on the road to face Black Hills State and Chadron State, both 7-12 in RMAC play, next weekend. The Pack then closes out the regular season at home against No. 1 Metro State and Regis on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, respectively.
