January 23, 2018
Bryanna Winner
The men’s and women’s basketball teams started their first games of the semester with wins and losses at Blackout Night on Jan. 19 and 20.
The men’s team won against both opponents, Western State Colorado University and Colorado Mesa University, over the weekend, while the women’s team saw success against Western State and a loss against Colorado Mesa.
Blackout Night was the final event in UCCS’ Winter Welcome Week this semester, which celebrated the start of the spring semester.
Blackout Night was started in 2011 and has been associated with the basketball teams ever since. When the club that started the event dissolved, Student Life and Leadership took over with the support of of Greek life, according to Stephen Cucchiara, assistant director of Student Activities in Student Life and Leadership.
The tailgate included free food, games like jenga, cup stacking and corn hole. Students won prizes like wireless headphones, a Fire HD 8 tablet and a Hydro Flask. At the Jan. 19, game students received towels with “We Live the UCCS Creed” emblazoned on them.
Night 1 – UCCS vs. Western State Colorado University
The women’s basketball team began night one of Blackout Night with a 47-41 win against Western State Colorado University. The team shot 12 percent from the field during the first half, scoring 10 to Western State’s 20 at halftime.
At the start of the second half, the team found their rhythm and went on a 7-0 run. By the end of the third quarter, they outscored their opponent 15-8. The team continued their rhythm into the 4th quarter, scoring their victory over Western State.
Following the women’s victory, the men’s basketball team played to a packed house, winning 105-100 against Western State.
During the first half, the men had 13 fouls called against them. At halftime, the men were down 41-49 and only shot 48 percent in the field. At the second half, the Mountain Lions made progress, tying their streak up at the last second to force overtime.
Night 2 – UCCS vs. Colorado Mesa University
On Jan. 20, both teams played against Colorado Mesa University. The women started off strong against the Mavericks until they started struggling while the Mavericks started making their shots.
The half ended with the Mountain Lions down 22-27. Going into the fourth quarter, the Mountain Lions were down 32-43. The women lost to the Mavericks by a score of 46-54.
The men’s team started off strong and kept up the momentum shooting 58 percent from the field to lead the Mavericks 40-28 at the half.
The Mountain Lions never relinquished the lead and won by a score of 90-68. Both teams will be away against the next two games against Metro State in Denver Jan. 23 and Westminster in Salt Lake City, Utah Jan. 27 before coming back home Feb. 2 against South Dakota Mines and Feb. 3 against Black Hills State.
For more information on men’s and women’s basketball, visit gomountainlions.com.