Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – Trailing by nine late in the second half, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team mounted a comeback. The Mustangs got back to within one a couple of times, but couldn't quite get over the hump as Colorado Christian held on for the 61-57 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday night.
CCU (5-3, 2-0 RMAC) looked to be in good shape holding a 46-37 lead with 6:44 to play.
Terrez Scott (Santa Clarita, CA/Valencia) then took over, hitting a pair of three-pointers to leave the Mustangs (0-6, 0-2 RMAC) down just three with over five minutes to play.
Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) would help get WNMU even closer hitting a pair of foul shots making it a one-point contest.
The Cougars would answer, getting the lead back up by as many as six with three to play. Still ahead by five with 51 seconds to play, the Mustangs came through with a big shot. After working the ball around without finding an open shot,
Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) took a three over a couple of defenders and swished it pulling WNMU back to within two at 57-55 with still 38 seconds to play.
The Mustangs then brought the full court press on the Cougars and nearly got a steal, knocking the ball out-of-bounds. After a foul would be called, CCU would end up splitting the shots making it a three-point game.
Scott quickly drove inside and drew the foul then promptly converted both shots to bring it back to a one-point game with still 27 seconds to play. WNMU tried for another quick trap on the in-bounds, but a foul was called. The Cougars would again split the foul shots making it a two-point game.
WNMU worked the ball around before Castrillo had a chance at a three, but it just missed and on the loose ball it would be last touched by CCU giving WNMU another chance with nine seconds left.
Out of the timeout, WNMU worked it inside to Castrillo and as he made his move Tyler Shields was able to come away with the steal and then was fouled. He would hit both shots to seal the victory for CCU.
In the first half, CCU broke open an early tie and would hold the lead the rest of the half to take a 29-20 lead into the locker room.
After they built their largest lead of the game of 13 early in the second half, WNMU would begin to chip away and eventually setup the wild finish down the stretch.
Scott led all-scorers going for 18 points. He also led the team in assists with five and steals with four. Castrillo tallied 11 points and Tanter posted 10. Tanter and Castrillo tied for the team lead in rebounds with each bringing down six.
Michael Brown paced CCU with 14 points, all coming in the second half.
Both teams struggled from the field shooting under 40 percent. CCU though took advantage at the foul line making 12 more (26-14) than the Mustangs and taking 10 more (32-22) attempts.
WNMU will hit the road this coming weekend as they will play at Colorado Mesa and Western State. They will face the Mavericks first on Friday night beginning at 5:30 p.m.
