GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team notched its 20^th win of the season with an 85-64 win over Westminster to close out the regular season Friday (Feb. 26).

The two teams started off slow with neither team making a basket until Zerrion Payton made a lay-up at 15:37 of the first.

The Griffins used a 14-4 run midway through the first half to lead by 12 points at 7:24 of the first.

The Mavericks responded immediately with a 10-2 run to close the gap to 25-21.

Ryan Stephan made a lay-up with 1:41 remaining to cut the lead to one, 30-29, but two late free throws by Zerrion Payton gave WC a 32-29 lead at half.

The Mavericks shot an astounding 73-percent (14-19) in the second half. The Mavericks outscored the Griffins 56-32 over the final 20 minutes.

Mesa made 29-of-35 free throws (83-percent), including 25-31 in the second.

Westminster finished 10-of-19 (53-percent) from the line.

Ryan Stephan led players with 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double.

Kabir West poured in 19 points, and Eimer Lopez chipped in 16. CJ Davis was the fourth Mesa starter in double figures with 10 points.

CMU led in points in the paint (36-18) and points off turnovers (22-7).

Jordan Pryor led the Griffins with 17 points, and Zerrion Payton contributed 16 points.

No. 3 Colorado Mesa (20-8, 16-6) will host No. 6 New Mexico Highlands in the first round of the RMAC Tournament Tuesday (March 1).