GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team used stout defense to post a 94-49 win over Chadron State Friday (Jan. 6).

The Mavericks held the Eagles to 25-percent (15-60) from the field and forced 14 turnovers.

Mesa shot 54-percent (35-64) from the field for the game and was an impressive 62-percent (20-32) over the final 20 minutes.

The Mavericks enjoyed a 43-24 led at the break and out-scored the Eagles 51-25 in the second.

Connor Nichols finished with a game-high 18 points to lead the Mavs, and Eimer Lopez added 16.

CMU had six players score in double figures tonight including James Sylvester who recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Mavericks led 34-14 in points in the paint, 20-7 in points off turnovers and 42-20 in points off the bench.

Jordan Perry led Chadron State with 16 points making all five shots from the field and 6-of-7 free throws.

The Eagles shot 17-of-25 (68-percent) from the line, but only made one shot from behind the arc in each half to finish at 6.9-percent from deep for the game.

Colorado Mesa (3-11, 2-6) will host Regis Saturday (Jan. 7).