(Photo Courtesy of Kevin Sumruld)
PUEBLO, Colo. (February 19, 2016) – After allowing 115 points to Colorado Christian University in a January meeting, Colorado State University-Pueblo D'ed-up the visiting Cougars and posted a 75-55 must-win Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory at Massari Arena Friday.
The ThunderWolves (15-11, 11-9 RMAC) and CCU (14-12, 10-10 RMAC) were tied for the eighth and final spot for the RMAC Shootout heading into Friday's game and with a 115-113 road loss to the Cougars fresh on the mind, the Pack won every major statistical category to own sole possession of the eighth slot.
Despite shooting a below average 41.2 percent from the field, the Pack held CCU to 33.3% (the Cougars shot 60.3% in the win in January), which is the second lowest CSU-Pueblo has held an opponent to this season. The ThunderWolves outrebounded the Cougars 47-40, which was the first time they had won the battle of the boards since Jan. 22 and just the sixth time this season. The Pack dished out 18 assists, which is the seventh time this season they have posted 18 plus. CSU-Pueblo also added a season-high 13 steals. Even though their top big man scored nine points, the Pack won the paint 36-20, thanks to 11 offensive rebounds and the ability by the guards to get to the basket.
Individually, many players thrived in the balanced effort, guided by senior Chris Golden's (G, Milwaukee, Wis.) 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. He was also 6-of-12 from long range for his sixth game with five or more 3-pointers.
Junior guard Syrus McDonald (Flint, Mich.) recorded his first double-double with the red, white and blue, as he posted 11 points and a team season-high 10 assists. A game-time decision after missing the last game due to injury, senior Odessa Lear (Parkhill, Colo.) put on an inspiring performance with his team-best sixth double-double of the season. He totaled 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds (four offensive).
Junior Nelson Kahler (C, Noosa Heads, Australia) fell one point short of a double-double, as he posted his fifth 10-plus rebounding effort with 10 even. He scored nine points and recorded five blocks, the 13th time the RMAC's block leader has totaled three or more rejections.
Sophomore guard Josh Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo.) started his sixth straight contest and added 11 points, a career-high eight rebounds and four steals (tied a career-high).
The ThunderWolves and Cougars exchanged leads on seven occasions during the game's first 14 minutes. A Smith 3-pointer with 6:47 remaining gave the Pack a 25-23 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
The bucket from downtown started a CSU-Pueblo run of 19-6 during the final 8:24 of the half. CCU recorded just one basket during that span until a buzzer beater 3-pointer moved the score to 41-29 at the half.
The dominate play by the Pack continued into the second frame, as the home team scored the first eight points and were up 8-0 before the Cougars scored with 16:37 showing on the game clock. The ThunderWolves' lead went as high as 22 and never dipped below 16 the rest of the way, as the Pack posted a 20-point victory to keep RMAC Shootout hopes in front of them.
CSU-Pueblo is loaded for bear, as the Pack welcome a Colorado School of Mines team that has won eight straight, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The last CSM loss came at the hands of the ThunderWolves Jan. 22. The RMAC battle is set to air live on Comcast CET (105/900 HD).
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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.
