PUEBLO, Colo. (Dec. 4, 2021) – The Colorado State University Pueblo men's basketball team picked up its first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win on Saturday night with a nail biting 68-65 win over New Mexico Highlands at Massari Arena.
 
The Cowboys (5-3, 0-2 RMAC) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over the ThunderWolves before a pair of free throws from Meekness Payne (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) finally put the Pack on the scoreboard. Later in the half, Lian Ramiro (Fr., Aurora, Colo.) found Elijah Moleon (Jr., Killeen, Texas) in the paint who connected on a layup after being fouled from NMHUs Will Johnson. Moleon recorded a three-point play the old-fashioned way before Payne connected off a strong turnaround jumper from 15-feet out and cut the deficit down to two points with 10:49 remaining in the first half.
 
The Cowboys held on the 35-31 lead going into halftime after going 16 for 34 from the field and holding the ThunderWolves to 13 of 34 from the field.
 
Moleon picked up two personal fouls just two inutes into the second half which forced him to sit and watch as the Pack started their comeback efforts. Payne connected on his first 3-pointer of the night to give the Pack their first lead of the game at 37-36 with 16:49 remaining in the game.
 
The lead didn't last very long as the Cowboys were able to score on the ensuing possession and went on a 9-0 run that quickly found the Pack down 8 points with just over 14 minutes to play in the game.
 
After tying the game at 57 points, the ThunderWolves took their first lead of the game as Ramiro found Tristan Hurdle (Fr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) on the left wing to knock down a deep 3-pointer. The ThunderWolves held the Cowboys without a field goal in the last 4:55 of the game as the Pack held on to a 68-65 win.
 
Stellar defensive efforts for the Pack held the Cowboys to 9 of 34 shooting from the field in the second half and 4 of 21 from deep on the game while shooting 45% (27-60) from the field which included 8 of 13 from the free throw line. Although the Cowboys out-rebounded the ThunderWolves 43-36, which included 14 offensive, the Pack held the Cowboys to 7 second chance points and also limited NMHU in transition, holding them to 8 fast-break points.
 
Payne played with confidence throughout the game finishing with 22 points for the ThunderWolves while also adding 5 rebounds. Ramiro controlled the pace of the game and handled the Cowboys feisty press, scoring 17 points and dishing out 3 assists. Moleon finished the night with 15 points in just 23 minutes of action while also grabbing 5 rebounds and recording 2 blocks. Tristan Hurdle knocked down two 3-pointers and grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds on the night.