Despite leading by as much as nine points in the second half, the Mavericks were able to fight their way back into the game to defeat Western State University (WSU) on the road 78-76. This is the second game this season between these two teams, and both ended in one-score affairs, with both ending in CMU's favor.
 
Neither team had a firm grasp on a lead throughout the first half. Neither team led by more than three points until the final two minutes of the half. CMU built up a seven-point lead with 1:14 to go before the buzzer, but WSU cut that lead to one with two late threes. The Mavericks went into the half up 32-31.
 
Through the first eight minutes of the second half, the Mountaineers were able to build up a 49-40 lead thanks to attacking the rim. Layups and free throws helped WSU have the 10-point swing. However, the Mavericks were able to respond going on a 10-2 run to cut the lead down to one with nine minutes to play. It was back and forth for the next seven minutes before a three-point make by Emilio Acedo gave the Mavericks the final lead change at 66-64. CMU would ride out the final 1:30 to seal their third straight victory.
 
Despite the Mavericks going 4-14 from three, they finished the game shooting at 51 percent. Another dominant performance in the paint helped with that. CMU scored 42 of their 78 points in the painted area. This also led to 20 free throw attempts as a team on the night, where CMU made 16.
 
They also forced WSU to shoot a poor 38 percent from the field and 7-29 from behind the arc.
 
Connor Nichols was the leader offensively for the Mavericks. He finished with 28 points on 12-19 shooting while also adding 15 rebounds. CJ Davis cut his magic number to 11 points away from 1,000 in his career after scoring 20 on Friday. Acedo was the other Maverick in double figures with 15.
 
CMU will take their three-game win streak into Salt Lake City on Saturday when they face off against the Griffins.