GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- In a topsy-turvy game, the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team came away with the victory in their home and season opener against St. Edwards 64-60.
This was the second game of the D2 Conference Challenge, with the first one between Colorado Christian and Dallas Baptist finishing in favor of the #5 ranked Patriots 86-80.
The Mavericks not only win their home opener for the ninth straight season, but head coach Ken DeWeese earned his first career win as a head coach.
The Hilltoppers fall to 3-2 and will play Colorado Christian tomorrow at 5 p.m.
The Mavs started the game by winning the tip and getting a quick bucket from Drew Larson, who was one of ten players to make their Mavs debut.
The first half saw a back-forth affair that saw eight lead changes with both teams shooting over 40% from the field. The half ended tied at 34, with both teams looking to get a lead.
The Mavs started out hot as they got buckets from Larson and Aidan Triplet to extend their lead to seven. But the Hilltoppers made some buckets to keep the game close.
However, the Mavs continued to shoot the ball well as Tait Spencer, JD Bradford and Luke Williams made some big-time shots to extend the lead to ten, their biggest of the game.
The Hilltoppers kept chipping away at the lead and managed to tie the game with just 2:07 remaining. The Mavs needed a spark, and they got one from Bradford.
Bradford managed to get a layup to break the tie and then got a clutch steal and fast-break bucket to extend their lead to four with 58 seconds left.
The Hilltoppers' Conor McManus hit a clutch two to bring it within two, but they had to foul in order to stay in the game.
They fouled Ryan Weber, who missed his initial attempt to give the Hilltoppers hope. But they missed a potential game-winning three-pointer, having to foul once again.
Weber got two attempts to redeem himself, which he buried to extend the lead to four. The Mavs played great defense and closed out the game.
The Mavs shot 42.9% from the field compared to the Hilltoppers 35.7%. They also owned a 43-31 rebounding advantage and a 20-14 edge in second chance points.
Larson had a big night, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Mavs in both categories. Bradford also finished in double figures with ten points with two steals and two blocks.
The Mavs wrap up the D2 Conference Challenge against Dallas Baptist. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Brownson Arena.
