Grand Junction, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa men's basketball team will host its final regular season home stand this weekend, hosting two key match ups. Friday the Mavericks will rumble with Regis, followed by a rematch with Colorado School of Mines on Saturday for Senior Night.

Games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Maverick fans can stream the game and follow live stats at the cmumavericks.com

Run It Back
Friday will mark a week since the Mavs last took to the hardwood, as they bested the Grizzlies of Adams State in Alamosa for the series sweep, and pushing their win streak to four.

In the latter 10-minutes of the first half is was CMU who started to pull ahead gaining a 20-point lead going into the break. Isaac Jessup went 3-for-3 in those minutes, helping the team to an efficient 60.0 percent throughout the opening half.

That 20-point lead created in the first half would prove to be enough to hold off the Grizzlies second half rally, as the Mavs took home a 73-65 win.

Blaise Threatt and Trevor Baskin finished with a game-high 22-points each, Threatt handling a team high 8 rebounds.

Senior Spotlight
Saturday's contest will also serve as 'Senior Night' recognizing two players from the men's basketball team who will play their final regular season contest in Brownson Arena.

Georgie Dancer and Jared Small are the two seniors, both of whom made their way to Colorado Mesa for the 2019-20 season and teamed up again after playing at Fresno City College together previously.

Combined, the dynamic duo has helped the program to an RMAC Regular Season title last season, claiming the first RMAC Tournament title in the Division II era in 2019-20, making it back-to-back years with the crown after claiming the overtime thriller over Colorado School of Mines during the 2020-21 season. With those wins, they have made it consecutive years clinching NCAA tournament berths.

Dancer, in his three seasons has accumulated 840 points, averaging around 10.9 per game with 77 currently under his belt. With 265 assists, he ranks 9^th in the career record books. This season he leads the team in assists, just on the cusp of 100 and could match his previous season high of 104 set back in 2019-20. During the 2020-21 season he was named to the NABC All-West Region First Team, All-RMAC First Team and garnered RMAC All-Tournament team recognition.

Small has contributed on both sides of the ball during his time here, significant coming in with some clutch baskets from beyond the arc. During the 2019-20 season he played in all 31 games, averaging 11.8 points while also collecting 32 blocks and 33 steals. He shot over 50.0 percent from 3-point range in his first season, his 32 blocks that season also positioning him at No. 11 in the career record books. He was named RMAC Offensive Player of the Week back on December 3, adding to his previous RMAC All-Tournament team, and RMAC Honorable Mention honors.

Where We Stand
Still dealing with the repercussions of COVID, the team standings are based off a RPI system putting Colorado Mesa (19-8, 13-5 RMAC) in the No. 2 spot in the conference behind Black Hills (16-7, 14-4 RMAC). Regis follows in third at 12-5 in the loop, UCCS (12-6 RMAC) coming in at No. 4 to round out the probably first-round hosts.

Fort Lewis (10-5 RMAC) sits tied with Colorado School of Mines (12-6 RMAC) at No.5. MSU Denver (10-7 RMAC) and Adams State and New Mexico Highlands vying for the next couple of spots with just two weekends left in the regular season.

Scouting the Rangers
Back on Jan. 22 the Mavericks handed the Rangers their first loss in conference play, also snapping a 14-game win streak in the process. Following that night, they have slid a bit, suffering losses to open the month. Last weekend they escaped with a 69-67 win over Western Colorado, falling to Fort Lewis, 75-81 the following night.

Senior, Brian Dawson has been the steady scorer for Regis averaging 18.2 points on 45.1 shooting. He leads the team in 3-pointers (51) and free throws (62) earning RMAC Offensive Player of the Week early on.

It was an 86-80 decision the way of the Mavs the last time the two met, CMU leading the overall series 29-8 and claiming the last four meetings. At Regis, Reece Johnson was the team's scoring leader with 25-points, going 5-for-6 from 3. Small chipped in a double-double with 11-points and 10 rebounds, six Maverick players finishing in double-figures.

Scouting the Orediggers
Long time rivals will meet again on Saturday in Brownson Arena, this time the Mavs defending home court and looking to avenge their earlier season loss to the Orediggers (14-8, 12-6 RMAC) in Golden.

Midway through the conference schedule Mines found a groove, stringing together 8-wins. That streak was snapped by Fort Lewis last weekend.
Brendan Sullivan is the team's go-to for just about all aspects of the game. The senior leads the team in points (15.2), rebounds (4.9), steals (28) and blocks (22). Kai Barr will be another name the Mavs take note of, the redshirt sophomore went off in the second half boosting Mines to the 68-58 win in Lockridge Arena earlier this year.