PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 17, 2018) – Redshirt-junior Donovan Oldham (G/F, Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored 25 of his career-high 31 points in the second half of a 88-80 home win against Wayland Baptist University, Saturday at Massari Arena.
Oldham totaled 31 points in 34 minutes on 12-of-16 (75%) shooting from the field, a 5-for-6 (83.3%) effort from beyond the arc and a 2-for-2 effort from the line. He added four rebounds with an assist and a steal.
Oldham's effort guided the ThunderWolves (2-2) to shooting 58.6 percent in the second half and 56.4 percent in the game. CSU-Pueblo knocked down 12-of-29 shots from 3-point land to average 41.4 percent.
Center Jason Anderson (R-Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) joined Oldham with a big night, as he finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block. He was 8-for-10 (80%) from the field and knocked down two 3-pointers. Freshman guard Tyson Gilbert (G, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) was the only other Pack athlete in double-figures, as he totaled 10 points, also aided by two 3-pointers.
The Pack found themselves down 17-6 5:31 into the contest and CSU-Pueblo Head Coach Ralph Turner decided to take out all the starters and replace them with his bench. The players who came in created a much-needed spark for the home team and were able to cut the deficit down to four at 19-15.
The wake-up call proved to be what the starters needed, as they continued the run and took the lead 21-20 with nine minutes left on a Jordan Phillips (R-So., G, Colorado Springs, Colo.) jumper.
Tied 27-27 with five minutes to play, Gilbert broke the stalemate with a 3-pointer and the Pack wouldn't't trail the rest of the way. The shot also jump started a 12-0 run, as the Pack opened up the lead 39-27 with 1:52 showing on the first half game clock. In the run, four different placers scored.
The Pack led 39-31 at the break and were able to build a 14-point lead at 54-40 with 14:48 left in regulation. During that stretch, Oldham totaled 13 straight points for the Pack. Wayland Baptist would retaliate and post a 13-2 run to get within three, 56-53 with 11:16 remaining.
After the teams traded scores, Oldham went on a stretch of scoring eight straight for the ThunderWolves and the home team's lead was eight, 69-61 with 7:15 left. An Anderson 3-pointer pushed the advantage to 10, 75-65 with 4:34 remaining, but the Pioneers didn't go away and were within two at 79-77 with 1:11 remaining.
Anderson hit another clutch 3-pointer with 37 ticks left, but WBU responded immediately with a dagger from downtown of its own and the game was a two-point contest, 82-80 with 27 seconds left. Four straight free throws by freshmen, Cade Carrol (G/F, Buena Vista, Colo.) and Gilbert pushed the contest to 86-80, then Oldham capped the night with a pair of freebies to push past the 30-point mark.
The ThunderWolves conclude nonconference play Nov. 23-24 in Canyon, Texas. The Pack battle West Texas A&M University Friday and 4 p.m. and Lubbock Christian University Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
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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.
