GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa men's basketball team heads to the Denver area this weekend to continue conference play against MSU Denver and Colorado Christian.

LAST TIME OUT
Last week's men's basketball schedule didn't go exactly as planned, having had to change their game plan on a whim. Despite the change, the team came out victorious 60-56 over the visiting UCCS Mountain Lions.
The first game back from vacation, the teams took a little while to find their groove. Tied at 30 going into the break, nearly half of the Mavs points came from free throws.
Half way through the second frame, CMU started to create some distance, taking their largest lead at six. Refusing to go down without a fight, UCCS clawed their way back to close the gap with just over six minutes to play.
Credit Georgie Dancer with the steal and the fast break layup to give his team the 4-point advantage. Dancer would later sink both free throws to solidify the 60-56 win.
 
7-0
Last Saturday's win made it seven straight wins for the men's basketball team this season. However, the win streak extends to 10 straight, dating back to March 3, 2020 when the Mavs took down UCCS in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal match.
 
 
KEEP CLIMBING
This week's National Association of Basketball Coaches poll saw a lot of movement amongst teams. Colorado School of Mines took over the No. 1 spot, moving up from No. 4, remaining unscathed and receiving a majority of the first-place votes.
 
Northwest Missouri State who was originally the front runner, fell in overtime to Washburn on Jan. 7, knocking them a couple spots to No. 3. Lincoln Memorial fell to No. 6 from the runner-up spot after falling to Lenoir Rhyne, 83-89. West Texas A&M came in at No. 7 this week, suffering a loss to Dallas Baptist last week.
 
Six out of the top-10 teams still boast an undefeated record, Colorado Mesa who came in at No. 9 this week, is one of them. The 2020-21 squad has now matched the highest ranking in program history. The 2009-10 team also came in at No. 9 on Feb. 9, 2010, under the Mesa State title.
 
This makes is the fifth straight week the Mavericks have earned their spot in the national polls.
 
 
TEAM EFFORT
As a team the Mavericks average 78.7 points per game, the third highest scoring offense in the conference to date, while holding opponents to 69.6 points. CMU continues to shoot at an efficient .505 from the floor, while also connecting at a .371 clip from beyond the arc.
 
Five Mavs are averaging double digits in the scoring category, leading the way is sophomore, Ethan Menzies. Menzies' 16.6 points per game on a .600 efficiency, has 116 points so far this season. Defensively, he's averaging 5.9 rebounds and has six blocks and seven steals on his stat line. His scoring efforts rank among the top-10 in the RMAC, with his shooting efficiency coming in at fifth.
 
Freshman, Reece Johnson comes off the bench for the team, his presence known on both ends of the court. The Windsor, Colorado native sits second on the team in points with a 12.7 average, while also grabbing 4.1 rebounds. In the seven games played so far this season, he has scored in double-digits in five of those contests.
 
Georgie Dancer made his home court debut last weekend against UCCS, and made a statement in his return putting up 21-points in the 60-56 win, matching his career high. Dancer is averaging 11.4 points so far this season, and already has four blocks to his name in just five games played.
 
SERIES vs. MSU Denver
This weekend's Denver matches begin in the Auraria Events Center on the MSU Denver campus. Friday's contest will mark the second times these teams go head-to-head this season. When the Roadrunners came west on earlier this season, CMU came out on top in the 83-68 decision.
 
After that first meeting, MSUD went on a three-game win streak, before having it spoiled by Adams State. Reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week, Laolu Oke notched his third double-double of the season with 13-points and 16-rebounds. On the season, Oke is averaging 12.3 boards per contest, ranking among the nation's best in that category.
 
Offensively, Mavrick Gilyard sports a 13.4 scoring average to lead the team. Kobe Sanders and Tonje Durham match Gilyards numbers with 10.4 ppg, and 10.2 ppg respectively.
 
The last two games between these two teams have been held in Brownson Arena. The two previous games CMU has played in Denver have not fallen in their favor. Jan. 8, 2016 marks the last time the Mavs claimed the road win over the Roadrunners.
 
SERIES VS. Colorado Christian
Game two of the weekend, will take the Mavs to Lakewood, Colorado to face off with the Cougars of Colorado Christian.
 
Although their 1-7 record may not reflect it, CCU has kept up with a number of conference opponents. After the Mavs defeated the Cougars in the season opener, 80-60, it took a couple more games before CCU grabbed their first and lone win of the season thus far over Fort Lewis, 84-79.
 
Junior, Ross Williams not only leads the teams scoring efforts, but also the conference with a staggering 23.9 points per game. He has yet to be held to single digits, and put up a season high 35-points against CSU Pueblo. He made it two straight 30-point performances when he put up 31-points against Adams State.
Teammate Andy Stafford averages 17.5 points for the team, while also leading the defensive battle with 7.6 rebounds.
 
 
NEXT MATCHUP:
After a weekend away, the Mavs will return to the friendly confines of Brownson Arena for the highly anticipated matchup with the Orediggers of Colorado Mines. They will take on the Regis Rangers that same weekend on Saturday.