PUEBLO, Colo. (Dec. 3, 2021) – Offensive struggles continue for the Colorado State University Pueblo men's basketball team dropped their conference opener to University Colorado – Colorado Springs 76-59 on Friday evening at Massari Arena.
 
The ThunderWolves (3-4, 0-1 RMAC) game plan to start the game was to give the ball to Elijah Moleon (Jr., Killeen, Tex.) on the block and let him go to work. Moleon backed-down UCCS William Becker on the opening possession and hit his first layup of the night with a nice drop step towards the baseline. The lead didn't last very long as the Mountain Lions were able to quickly tie the game at 2-2 and take the final lead of the night.
 
The Pack kept the game within striking distance midway through the first half but couldn't keep up with the well balanced UCCS offensive threats. The Mountain Lions held the ThunderWolves to 10 of 27 from the field in the first half as the Pack failed to connect on any of their 3-point attempts, going 0 for 10 from deep, walking into the locker room with a commanding 42-24 lead at the break.
 
The Mountain Lions came out blazing to start the second half as the team extended their lead to 21 points midway through the second half. Malcom Little (So., San Diego, Calif.) gave an honest effort in the second half, but just wasn't quite enough as the Mountain Lions walked away with a 76-39 win.
 
Meekness Payne (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) recorded his first double-double of his season with the ThunderWolves after finishing the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Moleon added 13 points, 3 rebounds and a block. Little came off the bench to add 11 points with 2 3-pointers of the night.
 
The ThunderWolves have a quick turnaround as the squad hosts New Mexico Highlands tomorrow night with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. at Massari Arena.