GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The season continues tonight for the No. 4 Colorado Mesa men's basketball team, gaining a home advantage as they take on the Adams State Grizzlies in game one of the tonight's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Brownson Arena. Per RMAC Policy, spectators will not be allowed to attend winter championships.
QUARTERFINAL RECAP
As the top-seed entering the tournament, the Mavericks played host to the Chadron State Eagles in Tuesdays quarterfinal match up. The two teams had only met once prior to that night, and the Eagles took the Mavs to double-overtime in Chadron.
This time around CMU didn't need extra minutes, grounding the visitors 67-52 to advance and host the rest of the tournament.
Using a strong paint presence, and toughness off the glass the Mavs limited their opponent to a 29.2 shooting percentage. CMU held a 42-20 edge in paint points, and out rebounded the Eagles 38-26. As a team they also took advantage of their time at the line, going 13-for-13.
Ethan Menzies recorded a double-double on a 19-point and 13-rebound performance, shooting 9-of-15.
Blaise Threatt chipped in 13-points on the night, and had the second most boards with seven.
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday's contest will mark the third time these two teams have met this season, each being a fight to the finish. Back on Dec. 18 in Alamosa, the Mavs took home a 100-98 victory on a career scoring night for
Ethan Menzies. When ASU made their way to Grand Junction a couple months later, they forced an overtime period but could not contain a seasoned Maverick squad who was no stranger to overtime periods. CMU outscored the Grizzlies 18-4 in extra minutes, taking a 80-66 victory, and the regular season sweep.
Since the last meeting, they closed out the season with a 3-1 record in their last four games and beat out MSU Denver, who was the No. 4 seed in the tournament on Tuesday in Denver.
Destan Williams was one of two ASU players in double-figures with a game-high 35 points. Teammate Frederick Jackson, added 12-points of his own. Rylan O'Brien was the leading rebounder for the team with eight on the night.
