Colorado Mesa University Athletics

OGDEN, Utah - Colorado Mesa led midway through the first half at the Dee Events Center on Wednesday (Oct. 28) evening, but Weber State answered with a 15-0 run and pulled away for an 85-60 win over the Mavericks.
 
The Mavericks fell behind 18-10 early, then took control. Ben Kaye started the comeback with a hook shot, and Drew Larson, Ryan Weber and Cash Boykin each scored to tie the game. Tait Spencer made two free throws after a Weber State technical foul to give CMU the lead and Weber's 3-pointer at the 7:39 mark capped a 13-0 run that made it 23-18. The
CMU defense held the Wildcats without a field goal for more than five minutes.
 
Weber State responded with 15 straight points, 10 of them from Dylan Warlick to retake control. Spencer hit a three at the halftime buzzer to cut the deficit to 39-29.
 
Larson opened the second half with a 3-pointer. A minute later he made a steal that led to a Jaylen Pitman layup, and CMU was within 41-34. The Wildcats shot 53.8 percent after the break and CMU never got closer than seven again.
 
Larson led the Mavericks with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Weber added 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting with five rebounds while Pitman scored seven.
 
Kai Valentine pulled down seven rebounds off the bench and CJ Willenborg added five points and five rebounds. Spencer scored five points in nine minutes and was the only Maverick with a positive plus-minus.
 
CMU held its own inside. The Mavericks matched Weber State 36-36 on the boards and 32-32 in the paint, and they won the second-chance battle 10-9 thanks to 11 offensive rebounds. The difference came from the perimeter and in transition. Colorado Mesa shot 5-of-24 from 3-point range and the Wildcats scored 19 points off 12 CMU turnovers and won the fast-break battle 13-4.
 
Warlick led Weber State with 18 points and eight rebounds. ArDarius Grayson added 15 points, and the Wildcats made 21 of 23 free throws.
 
Colorado Mesa will now look to their season opener on November 13 when they take on St. Edward's at 7:00 PM in Brownson Arena.