Silver City, N.M.- Western New Mexico University men’s basketball were unable to stop Ryan Stephan and the Mavericks as they fell short 83-61 last Friday night. For Colorado Mesa, Ryan Stephan came away with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Momentum seemed to be on the Mustangs side in the beginning of the first half by taking a quick 11-6 lead when Adam Kesler converted on a three from downtown. Another three for the Mustangs that was drilled in by Aby Carter kept things going to make the score 14-9.
Coming off the bench a few possessions later, WNMU’s Brandon Tanter and Makhtar Fall both hit back-to-back three pointers to extend the lead 22-16.
However, this lead would not last long as the Mavericks were able to go on a 6-0 and snag the lead 24-22.
With 4:37 left in the half, Mustangs regained the lead when Brandon Willliams dropped in a jumper to make the score 28-27 and a fast break layup increased the lead by three, 30-27, thanks to Emery Range.
Colorado Mesa were able to end the half on a good note by going on a 8-1 run with the lead 36-31.
The Mavericks came out hot to start the second half by extending the lead to double digits, 45-33.
From then on it was all Colorado Mesa by maintaining the lead by double digits throughout the whole game.
Carter kept the game interesting by cutting the deficit to fourteen for WNMU by nailing a pair of free throw shot that made the score 75-61 with 3:33 left in the game, but this would be as close as they would get as they would fall short, 83-61.
The Mavericks outshot the Mustangs in field goals 32-68 (47) to 21-59 (35) and in three pointers 9-24 (37) to 6-22 (27).
The Mustangs were also outgained in points in the paint (42-24) and in points off turnovers (26-7).
Leading the way in points for WNMU was Steven Loucks with 10 and Range with 9. Fall came down with 8 rebounds and Tanter dished out 4 assists.
The Western New Mexico University men’s basketball (1-20, 1-15 RMAC) will be back in action this Saturday as they take on Westminster College with the game beginning at 7:30 p.m.
