LAS VEGAS, N.M. (Dec. 1, 2018) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team suffered an 89-84 setback at the hands of New Mexico Highlands University Saturday in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener from Las Vegas, New Mexico.
The ThunderWolves (2-5, 0-1 RMAC) finished the game outshooting the Cowboys (5-1, 1-0 RMAC) 49.1 percent to 43.7 percent. The Pack knocked down two more 3-pointers, as they went 13-of-25 for a 52 percent evening. CSU-Pueblo entered the game first in the RMAC in free throw shooting percentage, but went just 65.4 percent in the game (17-for-26).
The Pack got it done on the glass and outrebounded NMHU 45-31. The ThunderWolves again struggled with turnovers and coughed up 21 against the Cowboys, which translated into 24 points for the home team.
Jordan Phillips (R-So., G/F, Colorado Springs, Colo.) totaled 21 points on 7-of-12 (58.3%) shooting from the field and a 4-for-5 (80%) effort from long range to guide the Pack. He added four rebounds. Redshirt-junior
Jason Anderson (C, Colorado Springs, Colo.) posted 15 points, as he knocked down 5-of-7 (71.4%) from the field. He totaled a team-best seven rebounds.
Freshman
Tyson Gilbert (G, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) came off the bench and also recorded 15 points and went 5-for-9 (55.6) from the field, as he pulled down three rebounds and added three assists (tied for the team lead). The CSU-Pueblo bench outscored New Mexico Highlands 34-15.
The lead changed five times in the game, while the score was tied once, all of which occurred in the first half.
CSU-Pueblo led 8-6 with 16:37 left in the first and then rattled off an 11-2 run to break open an 11-point lead at 19-8 with 12:45 showing on the game clock. Five different players scored during the run.
The score remained the same for the next two minutes of clock time until the Cowboys threw down a dunk that started a 10-2 run to get within three at 21-18 with 8:56 left in the half.
The Pack built the advantage back up to seven at 27-20 thanks to a 3-pointer from Anderson with 6:11 left. CSU-Pueblo then went cold during the next four minutes, as the Cowboys posted an 11-2 run to retake the lead 31-29 with 2:01 remaining in the opening frame. The advantage marked the first lead for NMHU since scoring the first four points in the opening minute of the game.
A redshirt-senior
Gavin Liggett (G, Limon, Colo.) 3-pointer with 1:41 showing would give the Pack a 32-31 lead, but it would be the last time the ThunderWolves would hold an advantage, as they trailed 40-35 at the half.
During the second half, NMHU maintained at least a two-possession lead until a 3-pointer by freshman
Cade Carrol (G/F, Buena Vista, Colo.) capped a 8-0 run for the Pack and got the road team within one at 61-60 with 9:46 left in regulation.
The Cowboys woke up and rode out their second 10-point lead at 72-62 with 7:25 remaining. The ThunderWolves didn't go away and were within a bucket at 77-75 with 3:01 left as Phillips finished off a 13-5 run with a 3-pointer.
Unfortunately, the Pack just couldn't get closer than four in the final minutes of the game and would fall by the five point margin.
CSU-Pueblo will open its RMAC home schedule Dec. 7-8 with Adams State University and Fort Lewis College, respectfully. Tipoff from Massari Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. both nights.
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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.
