Box Score

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team scored the final eight points against No. 18 Fort Lewis for a dramatic 75-72 win Friday (Jan. 15).

CMU controlled the tempo early and enjoyed a 13-3 lead just over three minutes into the contest.

FLC responded with a nine point run to close the gap to 13-12. The Skyhawks would retain the lead until a lay-up by Connor Nichols gave the Mavs a 33-31 lead with 1:43 left in the first. FLC would close the half on an 8-2 run to lead 39-35 at half.

The two teams battled in the second half with neither leading by more than six points.

Momentum swung in CMU's favor thanks to three consecutive 3-pointers to regain the lead 60-58 with under nine minutes to play.

Jared Smith handed FLC the lead, 68-67, with a lay-up with 3:27 remaining.

Ryan Stephan was whistled for an offensive foul, his fifth foul of the game, the next time down the court. He finished with 17 points.

Cade Kloster scored back-to-back baskets, including what would the final bucket for Fort Lewis with 2:52 remaining.

Kabir West started the CMU comeback with a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left.

Connor Nichols, who would come up big throughout the night for CMU, sent Joshua Blaylock to the line. Blaylock would miss the foul and it would be Nichols who would head to the free throw line after being followed on the rebound.

Nichols would drain both free throws but his heroics were not over. Nichols drew an offensive foul from Kofi Josephs on the ensuing inbound play giving the ball back to CMU.

Nichols drained a jumper with 10 seconds remaining to give CMU a 73-72 lead.

Solid defense from Mesa led to Fort Lewis not getting a shot off and turning the ball over. Eimer Lopez was fouled on the turnover and would go on to make two more from the
line extending the CMU lead to 75-72.

A half court shot from FLC missed wide right securing the win for CMU.

Eimer Lopez led four Mavs in double figures with 18 points. Stephan finished with 17 points and a team-high three 3-pointers. Connor Nichols contributed 12, including eight in the second half, and CJ Davis tallied 10.

Kofi Josephs led FLC with a game-high 21.

Both teams shot 41-percent from the field, but free throws helped the Mavs who made 21-of-25 (84-percent). The Skyhawks shot 10-15 from the line.

Colorado Mesa (10-6, 6-4) will host Adams State Saturday (Jan. 15).