LAKEWOOD, CO -- Western New Mexico got off to a slow start, fought back to take a two-point lead at the six minute mark but finally dropped their first game in three starts at Colorado Christian Friday night 71-68 in Lakewood, CO. The loss evened Western's season mark at 7-7, 3-3 while CCU improved to 4-8, 1-5.

CCU dominated the paint, out-rebounding the Mustangs 49-13 with the Cougars' Brian Stemer pulling 16 rebounds. The Mustangs were without the services of 6'8 Kris Taylor (Mesa, AZ/Dobson High School) who is injured. Freshman DJ Nicolas has filled in nicely for Taylor with eight rebounds, but fouled out late in the game along with Justin Taylor (Mesa, AZ/).

Western cut the Cougars one-time 14-point lead to the point they were riding the 1-point teeter-totter with 28 seconds left, but missed their final shot, fouled on the rebound and sent the Cougars to the free throw line with .8 seconds left.

The Mustangs shot just .406 from the field and were a chilly .533 from the charity stripe.

Casey Crevelone (Tucson, AZ/Canyon del Oro High School), who heated up in the second half, scored 18 points that included three straight trifectas. Trey Clarkson (Tucson, AZ/Sal Pointe High School) scored 15 points, while Devin Stewart (Tucson, AZ/) nailed 14 and DJ Nicholas (Glendale, AZ/Glendale High School) got 12.

Western will face Metro State Saturday night.