Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team battled back in the second half to within two when Colorado Mesa University used a pair of runs to defeat the Mustangs, 78-62, Saturday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


In the first half, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) opened with an 8-4 lead just over two minutes in. Western New Mexico University (WNMU) would fight back with Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge High School) draining two from the line and then Daryl Littleton (Tucson, AZ/Palo Verde High School) converted on a layup following a Carter steal to tie the game at 12 at the 15:20 mark.


The Mavericks (17-6, 14-5 RMAC) used a 10-0 run near the midway point of half to open up a 28-17 lead. They would get the lead as high as 12 nearly a minute later, but the Mustangs (10-13, 9-10 RMAC) were ready for the challenge.


Chad Arechiga (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge) sparked a 5-0 run off the bench for the Mustangs delivering a three from the corner and then Carter added to that a tough jumper in the paint to leave CMU ahead, 31-24, with 6:38 to go before halftime.


After a Maverick basket, the run continued with a Lucio Luttrell (Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces High School) layup, which Carter added to that a terrific lay-in to complete the fastbreak off a steal and assist by Juan Suarez (Nogales, AZ/Nogales High School). WNMU pulled within three on their next trip down the floor on a jumper by Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI/St. Phillip Catholic Central High School) following an offensive rebound by Edward Estavillo (Wilcox, AZ/Wilcox) making it 33-30 with 3:16 to go.


It would then stay within a five-point spread the final few minutes heading into halftime with CMU ahead, 36-32.


CMU came out ready to start the second stanza, going on a 7-0 run to push the lead back into double-digits, 43-32. WNMU answered with their own run, an 8-0 variety to get back within three. Luttrell started the run with a layup and later Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI/St. Phillip Catholic Central High School) got loose for three and Luttrell added his own three leaving the Mavericks ahead, 43-40, at the 15:50 mark.


Sohlich would strike again a minute later connecting on another three to bring the Mustangs to within two, 47-45, with still 14 minutes to go.


It would be a back-and-forth game over the next six minutes with the lead for CMU staying at six points or under.


After Carter blew down the lane for a jumper to bring WNMU within four, 55-51, with 8:50 to play, CMU came back with another run to push the deficit back into double digits for the Mustangs.


A 6-0 run followed in just two minutes to leave the Mavericks ahead, 61-51.


Luttrell would connect on a pair from the line to bring WNMU as close as they would get the rest of the way at 63-55 with 6:43 to go. CMU followed with an 11-0 run to push the lead to 74-55 on their way to claiming the victory.


Sohlich came off the bench to lead the Mustangs in scoring with 17, while Carter added 16 and Luttrell with 13. Colton Burgon carried CMU, leading all scorers with 30 points, while also grabbing a double-double with 10 rebounds.


CMU shot well from the field hitting at a 53.8 percent clip (28-52), while WNMU hit at a 37.5 percent clip (24-64). WNMU made two more three-pointers, 5-3, while CMU controlled the foul line making 19 to nine for WNMU.

With the defeat, WNMU now sits alone in eighth, one game ahead of Western State and two ahead of Colorado Christian for the final spot in the conference tournament. They are also just a game behind both Colorado Mines and New Mexico Highlands who are tied for sixth. CSU-Pueblo is in fifth at 10-8 following their two-point win at Adams State.


WNMU will hit the road this coming Friday when they will play at Colorado Christian with gametime set for 7:30 p.m.