COMMERCE, TEXAS –  The No. 24 Colorado Mesa University football season came to end with a 34-23 loss at No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday (Nov. 19).

The Mavericks led in nearly every statistical category but five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) led to 20 Lion points.

Mesa opened the contest with a 16-play, 87-yard drive over 6:45 that concluded with a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Sheehan.

Commerce took the lead at 2:55 with a one-yard touchdown run by Gabriel Rodriguez. The drive used only three plays after Ovie Urevbu ran for 45-yards on the opening play.

The Mavericks followed with a strong drive covering 68-yards on 12 plays before a fumble in the red zone halted the drive.

The CMU defense kept them out of the endzone, but the Lions kicked a 27-yard field goal to lead 10-3 with 9:44 remaining.

The Mavericks were marching down the field when Sean Rubalcaba took a hard hit at the end of a run to the Commerce 35-yard line. Aric Kaiser replaced Rubalcaba at quarterback and threw an interception on the next play.

The Lions led 10-3 at half.

Commerce opened the second half with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Rodriguez for his second score of the game.

A pair of Mavericks collided trying to field the ensuing kickoff and the Lions recovered it on the CMU 22-yard line.

Commerce needed only four plays to turn the fumble into seven points.

The Mavericks finally found the endzone at 3:38 of the third quarter when Jonathon Beverly broke off a 30-yard run. He finished with a team-high 84 rushing yards. The Mavericks failed on the extra point and trailed 24-9.

Mesa once again was making its way down the field, but the drive ended with another interception that was returned 58-yards by the Lions.

Commerce scored on the next play with a 14-yard pass.

Marcus Hines caught a 26-yard pass to cut the Commerce lead to 31-16.

A 46-yard field goal by the Lions, and a three-yard touchdown run by Sean Rubalcaba concluded the scoring.

Rubalcaba completed 30-of-43 passes for 293 yards.

Peter Anderson was the top Maverick receiver catching a team-high 12 passes for a team-high 99 yards.

Blake Nelson and Antonio Clark combined for 15 tackles.

CMU finished with leads in total yards (510-337), rushing yards (217-131) and passing yards (293-206).

The NCAA Playoff Game was the first for CMU since 2007. CMU finishes the season with a 9-3 overall record.