LAKEWOOD, COLO. – Eimer Lopez scored a game-high for the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team in a 76-72 loss at Colorado Christian Saturday (Jan. 14).

Lopez shot 10-of-16 from the field, grabbed three rebounds and recorded three assists and two steals.

The first 20 minutes was a narrow affair. Mesa used a 6-0 run with under nine minutes remaining to gain its largest lead of the game 27-18.

CCU responded immediately with a 13-4 run to tie the game at 31 with 2:36 left in the half.

The Cougars led 39-37 at the half.

Neither team could create much separation in the second half and the two teams were tied at 64 following a lay-up by CCU's Jonathan Stevens with 6:56 remaining.

CCU scored seven straight points to extend its lead to eight, 76-68, with 1:55 remaining.

Connor Nichols drained a 3-pointer on the Mavericks next possession, but a single free throw from CJ Davis would conclude the scoring for CMU over the final 90 seconds.

Nichols finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, and Kabir West came off the bench to score 12.

CMU shot 45-percent (28-62) from the field and held CCU to 44-percent (30-67).

The Mavs shot 52-percent (10-19) compared to 81-percent (9-11) by the Cougars.

CCU won the rebounding battle 43-35.

Colorado Mesa (3-14, 2-9) will host MSU Denver Friday (Jan. 20).