DURANGO, COLO. – Ryan Stephan finished with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds for Colorado Mesa in an 84-73 loss to Colorado Mines in the RMAC Semifinals Friday (March 4).

Mesa's offense found its groove early shooting 56-percent (14-25) from the field wjile holding Mines to 33-percent (10-30).

Tanner Riley was a spark in the first half for the Mavericks who were without perennial starter Kabir West. Riley scored 10 of his career-high 14 points in the first half.

The Mavs made a 10-0 run late in the first half to lead by a game-high 13 points, 38-25. CMU led 40-32 at the break.

Mines cut the lead to just two with a lay-up two minutes into the second half.

Mesa continued lead in the second half until a lay-up by Adam Laine gave Mines the lead 57-55 with 11:12 remaining.

Gokul Natesan drained a long 3-pointer to extend the CSM lead to seven, 74-67, with 2:30 remaining.

Mesa would score just six more points, two from the field, for the remainder of the game.

Mines finished with a 42-28 edge in rebounds and led 31-15 in points off the bench.

Free throws were heavily in favor of the Orediggers. Mines shot 92-percent (24-26) from the line compared to 59-percent (13-22) for Mesa.

CJ Davis made three 3-pointers to finish with 13 points, and Connor Nichols finished with 12.

Gokul Natesan led five Orediggers in double figures with 19 points.

Colorado Mesa (21-9) will find out if they are selected for the NCAA Div. II National Tournament Sunday (March 6).