CANYON, Texas – The No. 4 Colorado Mesa men's basketball team opened the season at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the First United Bank Center. The Mavericks fell to the host and No. 3 ranked West Texas A&M 72-63 on the first day of the Tipoff Classic.
 
Despite both teams shooting 37 percent from the field, the Buffs made five more shots from the field and two more three-pointers than the Mavericks. West Texas out-rebounded the Mavericks 47-41.
 
Colorado Mesa raced out to a six-point lead in the first half, leading 30-24 with 3:23 left in the half after Georgie Dancer buried a three-pointer. Owen Koonce and Mac Riniker led CMU with seven points apiece in the half.
 
The Mavericks went into the half trailing by one, 35-34 as West Texas closed the half on a 9-3 run.
 
Colorado Mesa went cold in the second half, falling behind and was never able to recover. They went on a drought late in the half where they were held without a field goal for 3:10 before Isaac Jessup hit a three-pointer with just 39 seconds left in the game.
 
Koonce finished with a team-high 12 points and completed the double-double with ten rebounds in his first-ever game with the Mavericks. He shot 5-for-10 from the field and added two blocks on the evening.
 
Georgie Dancer finished with 10 points.
 
West Texas' Larry Wise led all scorers with 21 points and eight rebounds.
 
Colorado Mesa will take on 2021 NCAA Elite Eight participant Daemon tomorrow evening at 5:30pm. The Wildcats are taking on Minnesota State Moorhead this evening in their opening contest.