GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Ryan Stephan scored 25 points and Michael Melillo and Derek Biale each finished with 10 to lead the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team to a 70-67 win over No. 23 Angelo State Friday (Nov. 28) in the Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic.

Angelo State would hold the largest lead of the first half at just six points, 17-11, at the 8:20 mark.

Ryan Stephan would take the lead back for the Mavericks two minutes later with a dunk and the free throw. The big man wasn't done as he got a block at the other end and followed up with a 3-pointer.

CMU would also get 3-pointers from Julian Vasquez and Jerry Duckworth in the final five minutes of the half. Stephan and Trevor Van Tassel would each make lay-ups to end the half and give the Mavericks a five point lead at the break.

Stephan scored 14 of his 25 points over the first 20 minutes shooting 5-of-7 and draining both 3-pointers.

ASU would tie the game at 38 four minutes into the second with a 3-pointer by Raijon Kelly. The Angelo lead would stand for nearly 10 minutes.

The Mavericks would drain a 3-pointer on five consecutive trips down the floor, including three from Derek Biale, to lead by seven, 67-60, with three minutes left.

With the Maverick lead sitting at just three, the Mavericks found a wide-open Ryan Stephen on an inbound play for the dunk.

Angelo did not go away as Demario Mayfield drained an off-balance 3-pointer just seconds later. Mayfield finished with a team-high 23 points.

Julian Vasquez would make a final free throw for CMU to give them a three point 70-67 lead.

The Mavericks would send two different Rams to the free throw line but neither could convert.

Ryan Stephan finished with 25 points, shooting 10-of-14, with three 3-pointers, nine rebounds and four assists.

Derek Biale's career-high 10 points came from three 3-pointers. He also dished out a team-high five assists.

Mike Melillo finished with 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

The teams finished nearly identical on the stat sheet. CMU shot 48-percent (26-54) and ASU shot 52-percent (25-48). The Mavericks finished with a slim 32-31 rebounding edge.

The win was the first over a ranked team for CMU since Feb. 28, 2012 when they defeated No. 15 Metro State 67-63 in overtime.

CMU (4-1) will face Texas A&M-International Saturday (Nov. 29).