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Colorado Mesa (7-1, 4-0 RMAC) edged out visiting New Mexico Highlands (3-4, 1-3 RMAC) 81-75 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Saturday night.

Four players registered double digit figures led by Jeff Hart's 18 points. Colton Burgon finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Burgon scored 12 second-half points. Mike Melillo recorded 16 points and a game high seven rebounds.  Landon Vermeer had 11 points, hitting 3 of 4 from the field and 4 of 4 from the foul line.

CMU led 40-33 at halftime and opened the second half with a 9-4 run to take a 12 point lead (49-37 at the 17:12 mark. The Cowboys went on a 17-2 run, erasing a 12 point deficit to take a three point lead (54-51) with 13:24 left in regulation. NMHU extended the lead to six, tying their largest lead of the game with 9:02 left to play. CMU tied the game at 68-68 (5:01) on a layup and made free throw by Melillo.

In the final three minutes with four lead changes the Mavericks down 71-72, Burgon's layup and made free throw gave CMU a 74-72 lead they would not relinquish as the Mavs closed out the game on a 10-3 run, sinking 5 of 6 free throws to seal the victory.

CMU shot 43 percent (27-62) from the field and 50 percent (6-12) from the 3-point line. The Mavs' 12 of 15 from the foul line in the second half helped to hold off the Cowboys 9 of 16 treys (56 percent) and 16 of 18 free throws in the contest. CMU scored 18 points off Highlands' 16 turnovers.

NMHU had four players in double figures led by Lavell McDade's 14 points and 3 of 3 shooting from beyond the arc.

CMU will close out the month of December on the road next week at Fort Lewis College on Sunday, December 16. On Monday, December 17 the Mavs will play at Adams State before breaking for the Christmas Holiday. CMU returns home on January 4 to host Colorado Christian University.