A big night by Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ, Ironwood Ridge High School), who had 28 points and 17 rebounds, couldn't propel the Mustangs past the UC-Colorado Springs Mountain Lions in the final seconds Saturday night. UCCS took the victory, 72-70.

The Mustangs had the advantage the majority of the first half and walked into the locker room up six, 33-27, and with momentum after Juan Suarez (Nogales, AZ/Nogales High School) hit a jumper from the corner at the last second. Suarez finished with five points, six assists, and three steals.

WNMU then had an eight-point lead with 14:27 left to play, but then UCCS came on strong. The visitors went on a 22- 5 run over the next seven minutes to jump ahead by nine, 57-48. UCCS wasn't done yet. They stretched the lead to 15 before WNMU got their rhythm back. With 4:51 remaining, WNMU rallied for a 13-0 streak over the next three minutes. WNMU was within two, 66-64.

A questionable foul down the stretch brought the UCCS lead back to four (68-64), but head coach Mark Coleman kept making key offensive/defensive substitutions. It finally paid off when Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI, St. Phillip Catholic Central High School, Western Texas Community College; Eldon Academy Prep) nailed a three with 50 seconds remaining to shave the lead to one.

Another two sets of UCCS free throws brought the UCCS lead back to four. A three, this time by Carter, cut the lead to one once again with 19 seconds remaining.

Just as 41 seconds earlier, another questionable Mustang foul allowed the Mountain Lions to convert on 1 of 2 free throws to bring the score to 72-70. Solid UCCS defense limited WNMU's last look at the basket. TJ Riley (Tyler, TX, Chapel Hill High School, Lamar University) was forced to throw up an off-balance three as the buzzer rang. It bounced off the rim.

Riley finished with 12 points.

WNMU shot .404 from the floor and .727 from the charity stripe.

UCCS's Ben Feilmeier led all scorers with 30 points. Twenty-four of his points were from behind the arc.

WNMU falls to 3-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play while the Mountain Lions improve to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the RMAC.

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