GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (January 29, 2016) – After shooting 60-plus percent on back-to-back evenings last weekend, the Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team shot just 36.1 percent from the field in a 93-66 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road loss to Colorado Mesa University Friday.
The ThunderWolves (12-8, 8-6 RMAC) allowed Colorado Mesa (14-6, 10-4 RMAC) to shoot 50 percent from the floor in the game, while the 36.1 percent for the Pack was a season-low. CSU-Pueblo hit 10 3-pointers (10-of-35, 28.6%), which is below its 11.3 average this season (ranks sixth in NCAA Division II).
Three players were in double figures for the ThunderWolves, guided by 15 points from senior Odessa Lear (F, Parkhill, Colo.). He added 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Junior center Nelson Kahler (Noosa Heads, Australia) totaled 14 points and seven rebounds, while his two blocks added to his RMAC-best 43 rejections. Senior Chris Golden (G, Milwaukee, Wis.) totaled 13 points.
The ThunderWolves and Mavericks traded buckets in the opening minutes until an 11-0 run by the Pack handed the road team a 13-4 lead and 16:10 showing on the game clock. CSU-Pueblo then failed to score during the next three minutes of play to allow CMU to get within two at 13-11.
The game was tied 18-18 with 9:39 left when a 5-0 run by the home team gave them a 23-18 lead. A Lear 3-pointer moved the contest to within a field goal and 8:08 remaining in the opening half, but the Mavericks would continue to roll and use a 7-0 stretch to open a nine-point lead, 30-21.
The Pack were within six at 32-26 after another Lear 3-pointer and 4:56 remaining, but the ThunderWolves would only muster five points in the final five minutes to face a 40-31 halftime deficit.
A Kahler dunk on a dish from sophomore guard Will Newman (Lawndale, Calif.) 3:35 into the second frame cut the deficit to six at 44-38, but again the home team had an answer and minutes later the Pack trailed 51-38.
It was all Colorado Mesa the rest of the way, as the ThunderWolves took their third loss in the last four games.
CSU-Pueblo has the opportunity for a split weekend when they meet conference-newcomer Westminster College, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Salt Lake City.
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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.
