SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Westminster College held the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team to a season-low field goal percentage of 36.8-percent to defeat the Mavs 68-61 in the RMAC opener Saturday (Dec. 5).

Westminster shot 41.2-percent from the field and improved to 5-0, 1-0 on the season.

CMU dominated the paint outscoring WC 28-4, but the Griffons made 10 3-pointers to five from the Mavs.

Westminster would jump out to an early 13-3 lead, but Mesa responded with an 11-2 run to pull within one, 15-14, midway through the first half.

Ryan Stephan drained a free throw with 47 seconds remaining to give the Mavs their first lead of the game 29-28.

Westminster took a 31-29 lead into the half after a 3-pointer from Kenny Woodard with 19 seconds remaining.

The Griffons lead grew to a second-half high of 10 points, 60-50, with 6:36 remaining.

Eimer Lopez capped a 10-2 run for Mesa with a lay-up and a free throw to pull the Mavs within two, 62-60, with 1:40 remaining.

Westminster made five-of-eight free throws to earn its first win in league play 68-61.

Ryan Stephan was held to a season-low 17 points and eight rebounds for CMU.

Eimer Lopez scored 15, and CJ Davis added 12 points, shooting 4-of-9 from behind the arc.

Derek Biale grabbed seven rebounds and dished out a team-high five assists.

Westminster finished with a 42-30 edge in rebounds.

CMU (4-3, 0-1) will host UCCS Dec. 11^th.