Lubbock, Texas – Colorado Mesa men's basketball wrote a different story this time around, turning away the Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas, 69-55, in the first round of the NCAA South Central Regional tournament, Saturday night here in the Rip Griffin Center.

The Mavericks used a 52.1 percent (25-48) shooting efficiency, holding the Javelinas to 35.6 percent (21-59) from the field. Jared Small led with a game high 20-points. Blaise Threatt (14) and Trevor Baskin (11) completed the trio of players in double-figures.

With a 36-29 edge in rebounds, Christopher Speller pulled down and game-high seven off the bench, Threatt and Small adding six apiece.

TAMUK pulled out in front early, holding the lead for the early minutes of the first period. At the under 10-mark, the Mavs took over on a handful of points from Baskin. Up by as many as five, that would dwindle to three after the Javelinas converted on the final possession of the half.

A 14-0 run over six minutes throughout the second half, gave way to their 14-point advantage that held strong for the remainder of the game.

Advancing to Sunday evening's regional semifinals, Colorado Mesa will take on top-seed and host Lubbock Christian. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. MST.