Following the Mavericks big win on Friday night, Colorado Mesa was looking to continue their strong play on Saturday against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). It was going to be no easy task with the Eagles coming in with a 3-1 overall record to begin the season. However, the Mavericks were up to the challenge a prevailed with an 81-76 victory.
 
CMU opened the game strong going up 15-6 through the first eight minutes of action. The Mavericks closed the first half on a 9-3 run to take an eleven-point lead into the half. CMU's defense was huge in the half as they held the Eagles to 3-13 shooting from the three-point line.
 
In the second half, the Eagles long-range shooting came to life, making nine in the half. They fought their way back to tie the game up at 39. However, 19 make free throws on 24 trips to the line in the half helped the Mavericks pull away in the final minutes.
 
Free throw shooting was a key for the Mavericks throughout the contest. CMU got to the line 36 times on the night and sank 28 of them. Meanwhile, the Eagles only got to the line a total of nine times where the team made eight.
 
Along with their free throw shooting, the Mavericks did a good job of distributing the ball throughout the game. The team finished with 15 assists on 22 made field goals, which gave the team 68 percent of their field goals coming off an assist. Brandon Hoffer led the team in that category, finishing with five on the night.
 
Offensively the Mavericks had three players score in double figures, led by Emilio Acedo. Acedo finished with 22 points, leading all scorers, thanks to six made three-pointers on the night. Acedo was followed in the scoring book by Connor Nichols, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, and CJ Davis, who finished with 13 in the game.
 
CMU will now come home for two games next weekend for the Holiday Inn-Airport Thanksgiving Classic. The Mavericks will be taking on MidAmerica Nazarene University on Friday and Central Methodist University on Saturday. Both are set to tip off at 7 p.m. at Brownson Arena.