Box Score Denver, Colo. – The NMHU Cowboy Basketball team returned to their winning ways on 1/5, as they defeated the Rangers of Regis University 73-61. With the win the Cowboys, led by Head Coach Joe Harge, improve to a 3-5 record in the RMAC and 5-7 in overall play.
The Cowboys took the early lead in the game, but the Rangers kept the game close and worked up a five point advantage of their own. A three-point shot by
Mannie Cass turned the tide back in NMHU's favor midway through the first half and the Cowboys were again on top by one point (17-16).
The Cowboys continued their control of the game and with 5:52 left in the first half
Augustus French slammed the ball home to give them their biggest lead of eight points (24-16). When the buzzer sounded the end of the first half, the Cowboys took a 33-25 lead into the locker-room.
Regis scored first in the second half with a free-throw shot from Dylan King to cut the Cowboys' lead to seven points. The Rangers continued to work closer on the scoreboard until Lavelle McDade hit a three-point shot on the fast-break to increase the lead back to nine points (44-35) with 13:25 left to play.
Again the Rangers hung in the game, but
Mannie Cass struck again with 8:22 left, draining a three-pointer to give the Cowboys their first double-digit lead (57-46). Cass would extend the lead to 13 points (63-50) when he made both free-throw shots with only 6:16 remaining.
Regis continued their battle against time, but when the final buzzer sounded the Cowboys had won their first game since 12/14 as they triumphed over the Rangers by the final score of 73-61.
The ever-consistent
Mannie Cass led the Cowboys with 21 points against the Rangers. Cass was 3-4 from three-point range, 4-5 from the charity stripe, and ended up shooting 63% from the field.
Lavelle McDade followed with 19 points in his 34 minutes on the court. McDade grabbed five rebounds and added two assists, a blocked shot, and a steal in the game.
Augustus French rounded out the Cowboys' top performers with 12 points. He played 19 minutes and would lead the Cowboys in rebounding with six. French's inside presence was further exemplified by his one blocked shot and his first-half dunk that spurred the Cowboys on.
The Cowboys will return to the hardwood again next Friday (1/11) when they travel to Durango, Colo. to take on the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College. The Skyhawks are currently occupying third place in the RMAC with a 5-1 conference record and 8-1 in overall play.
GO COWBOYS!!!
