GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team gave the home crowd plenty of scoring in its home debut as it defeated Webber International 105-51 Friday (Nov. 27) in the Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic.

The Warriors kept it close early thanks to a full court press. Webber led by as many as nine with 11:18 left in the first. CMU would close the gap thanks to improved defense combined with taking better care of the ball on offense.

The Mavs would take the lead for good at 5:43 of the first when Brandon Hoffer found Eimer Lopez on a lay-up to lead 35-33.

Mesa wouldn't look back as it would go on a 72-18 run to close the game.

CMU led 53-35 at half and would out-score WIU 52-16 in the second half.

Ryan Stephan led all-players with 20 points. He tallied his fifth straight double-double of the season with 12 rebounds.

Four other Mavs scored in double figures. Kabir West scored a career-high 19 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double.

Eimer Lopez poured in 15 points, Derek Biale scored 14 and Connor Nichols had 10.

The Mavericks shot a season-high .563 from the field and made a season-high 40 field goals.

Free throws were a huge disparity in the game. CMU shot .818 (18-22) from the line while WIU missed all three of its attempts.

Webber shot .313 (21-67) from the field, but shot .360 (9-25) from behind the arc. Mesa shot .350 (7-20) from deep.

Sam Auguste led the Warriors with 13 points.

CMU grabbed a school-record 51 rebounds. The previous record of 50 was set earlier this season against Dallas Baptist.

Mesa led 29-10 in assists.

Colorado Mesa (3-2) will face Texas A&M – Commerce Saturday (Nov. 28).