AUSTIN, Texas – Connor Nichols scored a career-high 32 points but it wasn't enough as Colorado Mesa fell 84-72 to St. Edward's in the final day of the D2 Conference Challenge event. The loss evens the Mavericks record at 1-1 on the season.
 
Nichols was 10-for-16 in the game, including 2-for-2 from three and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. The senior was just one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with nine boards.
 
The Mavericks and Hilltoppers were locked in a see-saw battle in the early moments of the game. Colorado Mesa led by as many as five points following a Nichols free-throw. The last lead the Mavericks had come at the 6:54 mark of the first half following a bucket by Tommy Nuno.
 
Colorado Mesa just didn't have any answer for the Hilltoppers. Ashton Spears finished with a Hilltopper high 25 points including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc.
 
The Mavericks had the edge in rebounds 34-32 but committed 19 turnovers that led to 17 St. Edward's points. The Hilltoppers also shot 44.1 percent (15-for-34) from three compared to the Mavericks who made just five three-pointers.
 
Damon Dubots finished with 10 points and was the only other Maverick in double figures.
 
Colorado Mesa falls to 0-5 all-time against St. Edward's with all five meetings coming in the last five years.
 
The Mavericks will be on the road for two more neutral site games next weekend. They will travel up the road to Gunnison to take on Texas A&M-Commerce and Northern New Mexico as part of the Comfort Inn Classic.