February 27, 2018
Bryanna Winner
The men’s and women’s basketball teams finished the regular season with wins and losses Feb. 23-24.
The men’s team won both games and received the No. 6 seed in the RMAC playoffs, while the women’s team lost to Colorado School of Mines and then defeated Colorado Christian University, missing the playoffs.
Feb. 23- UCCS vs. Colorado School of Mines
The women’s team struggled starting the game down 0-5 with a lack of momentum during the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Mountain Lions were down 14-23 with six turnovers.
However, the team picked up the speed during the second quarter, as they went on a 14-7 run halfway through. At the end of the half, they were down 33-39. The third quarter ended with the Mountain Lions down 48-59. The game finished with the women losing 68-81.
Following the women’s team’s loss, the men’s team defeated the Colorado Mines Orediggers 81-70.
The Mountain Lions were in control the entire game not letting the Orediggers get close. The first half finished with the Mountain Lions up 34-26 shooting a little over 53 percent from the field.
Feb. 24- UCCS vs. Colorado Christian University (Senior Night)
The women’s team took their first lead of the game less than three minutes into the second quarter. Unfortunately, that lead only lasted 27 seconds as the Cougars went on a 0-9 run. The half ended with the Mountain Lions down 24-30.
Throughout the third quarter, the Mountain Lions would come back to within one or two points before the Cougars would start making their shots again. During the fourth quarter, the Mountain Lions got their second lead of the game with a little more than three minutes left and didn’t relinquish it. Mountain Lions won 64-56.
The men started their final regular season game winning the tip-off and jumping to a quick 11-0 run. The Cougars didn’t score a basket until three minutes in. By halftime, the Mountain Lions were ahead 60-31.
At the start of the second half, the Cougars went on a 6-12 run but couldn’t keep that momentum going as the Mountain Lions wouldn’t let the Cougars come anywhere close. The Mountain Lions hit 100 points with over seven minutes left in the game.
The team finished the regular season with a win by a score of 118-81. VanPelt finished with 11 points, Barnes finished with 12 points and 1 steal, and Smith finished with 8 points and 1 steal.
Seniors Shanah Leaf and Mia Carter finished their final game with eight and five points, respectively.
Seniors from both teams were recognized between the games. Leaf, Carter and Maria Haas from the women’s side, and Ryan VanPelt, Jonathan Barnes and Justin Smith on the men’s side were recognized.
A special recognition was given to Kavan Brown, a Mesa Ridge High School senior and men’s basketball Team Impact member ,as well. Flowers and pictures were given to those recognized at half court with their families by their side.
Due to injuries, Haas has not been able to play most of the last two seasons and Carter wasn’t able to play most of this season.
Leaf will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Carter will receive a degree in business management and Hass with a degree in English with an emphasis in secondary education.
Smith is working on his master’s in finance, VanPelt will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and Barnes will recieve a degree in communication.
The men headed to Golden, Colo. to play the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers on Feb. 27. For more information on the basketball teams and the men’s playoff schedule and scores, go to gomountainlions.com.