GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Connor Nichols scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team to a 91-82 win over Adams State Saturday (Dec. 10).

Nichol's double-double is the first by a CMU player this season.

James Sylvester came off the bench to score a career-high 18 points.

Adams built a 10-point lead, 31-21, midway through the first after going on a 13-5 run. The Grizzlies lead grew to 16 points with just under three minutes remaining in the half, but the Mavs would trail by 12 at the break, 49-37.

The second half belonged to CMU who out-scored ASU 54-33 over the final 20 minutes.

The Mavericks whittled the Grizzlies lead to six points three times early in the second half, but it wasn't until CMU went on a 13-0 run with under eight minutes remaining that Mesa took the lead.

Colorado Mesa would not relinquish the lead the remainder of the game with the Mavs lead growing to as many as 14 point before settling on nine at the buzzer 91-82.

The Mavs shot 44-percent (12-27) from the field in the second and held the Grizzlies to 34-percent (12-35).

Colorado Mesa capitalized on free throws shooting 39-51 (76-percent), including 29-38 (76-percent) in the second half. Adams State on the other hand shot just 10-20 (50-percent) from the line.

Adams kept the game close thanks to 12 3-pointers compared to just six by Mesa. The Grizzlies also out-rebounded the Mavs 46-36.

CJ Davis finished with 16 points, and Brandon Hoffer scored a season-high 13.

Shane Johnson led Adams with a game-high 22 points compliments of five 3-pointers.

Brandon Sly and Bryan Umoru finished with 19 and 13 points for ASU.

Colorado Mesa (2-8, 1-3) will play at CSU-Pueblo Dec. 16.