GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa men's basketball team had five players score in double-digits in an 86-71 win over Black Hills State Saturday (Jan. 2).

Ryan Stephan finished with a game-high 28 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for CMU.

Stephan's 19 rebounds led the Mavs who finished with a lopsided 42-27 rebounding edge over the 'Jackets.

The Mavs led from the beginning and quickly amassed a 12-2 lead five minutes into the game. The Mesa lead hung at 10 points, 20-10, with 11:17 left in the first, but Black Hills responded with a 12-6 run to pull within four, 26-22, with 5:37 remaining.

CMU rebuilt its lead to nine with 2:39 left, but BHSU scored three of the last four baskets to trail by just four at halftime 38-34.

The Maverick offense found its groove in the second shooting an astonishing 59-percent (19-32) and outscored the 'Jackets 48-37 over the final 20 minutes.

CMU drained 14-of-18 free throws (78-percent) while BHSU was 1-of-6 (16-percent).

The Mavs did a good job passing the ball recorded 20 assists compared to 10 for the 'Jackets.

CMU led 42-22 in points in the paint and 10-0 in second chance points.

Brandon Hoffer scored 14 points, and CJ Davis added 13 for CMU. Kabir West and Connor Nichols each contributed 10.

Nick Ongarato led BHSU with 19 points, and Riley Ryan added 14.

Colorado Mesa is 8-5 overall and 4-3 in RMAC play and currently riding a season-best four-game winning streak. Mesa will play at MSU Denver Jan. 8^th.