GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Ryan Stephan scored a career-high 45 points and recorded his 2,000 career point in a narrow 86-83 win over Regis Saturday (Feb. 20).

Stephan joins Jon Baskin (2,227 points) and Paul Cain (2,035 points) as the only three players in CMU school history to score over 2,000 points.

Stephan shot 16-of-24 from the floor, included 2-of-2 from deep, and made 11-of-12 free throws. He completed the double-double with 14 rebounds, including six offensive.

Elijah Sanders tied the game at 17 with a lay-up for the Rangers with 11:35 left in the first, but Mesa countered with a 14-2 run to lead by 12 with 6:27 remaining in the half.

Regis cut the lead to eight by halftime, but Colorado Mesa lead 45-37.

The Rangers opened the second half on a 9-2 run to take the lead 48-47 at the 17:40 mark.

The Mavs responded once again with a 17-4 run to lead by 12 with 11:35 remaining. Ryan Stephan capped the CMU run with a lay-up and a free throw for his 2,000 point.

Continuing the theme of the half, Regis scored 11 unanswered points and would take a one point lead, 76-75, with a 3-pointer from Jarrett Brodbeck with 48 seconds remaining.

Ryan Stephan made a pair of free throws, but Dexter Sienko answered with a lay-up at the other end to give Regis an 83-82 lead with 19 seconds remaining.

Ryan Stephan made a lay-up and a free throw for the Mavs on their next trip down the floor to give CMU an 85-83 lead with five seconds remaining.

Kabir West stole the ensuing inbound pass and made the second free throw to push the Mesa lead to three.

Ryan Beisty's last second 3-pointer hit the rim but bounced away securing the CMU win.

Regis hung with Mesa shooting 13-of-34 (38-percent) from deep compared to 8-of-15 (53-percent) for Mesa.

The Mavs made more free throws (18) than the Rangers (9) attempted.

CJ Davis finished with 12 points, and Kabir West added 10 for the Maroon and White.

Jarrett Brodbeck made a game-high five 3-pointers to lead Regis with 24 points. Dexter Sienko finished with 21, Noah King 17 and Billy Hansen 12.

Depth was not much of a factor in the game with CMU leading 10-2 in bench points.

Mesa dominating the boards notching a 39-25 advantage, and finished with a 44-24 lead in points in the paint.

The game featured seven ties and 14 lead changes.

Colorado Mesa (19-8, 15-6) will host Westminster Feb. 26^th in the final game of the regular season. The three seniors on the team will be honored before the game.