Box Score GUNNISON, Colo. – While it was not as close as the double overtime nail-biter between the Cowboys and Mountaineers back in December, the teams sure tried.
The Mountaineers scored the final seven points of the game, but the New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team (11-12, 8-11 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) held on for the 79-78 over Western State (3-20, 3-16) Saturday night (Feb. 15).
Tied at 71 with four minutes left, Highlands scored eight unanswered over the next 1:25. Senior
Stargell Love started the run when he grabbed a defensive board and went coast-to-coast. Just a few seconds later, senior
Mannie Cass achieved the same feat as Highlands led 75-71 with 3:25 left. Junior
Alex Dantzler then came up with a steal, and slammed home a dunk to push the lead to six.
Love capped the run with a pair from the line as the Cowboys led 79-71 with 2:35 left.
Love led the team for the second-straight night with 23 points, also leading the team in rebounds (seven), assists (three) and steals (one). Senior
Stuart Sullivan came off the bench for 17 points, including 5-8 (62.5 percent) shooting from beyond the arc. Cass chipped in 16 points, six boards, three assists and a pair of blocks.
Despite the eight-point deficit late, the Mountaineers made things interesting. Mason Biddle made an old-fashioned three and then a layup to bring the home team within three. Jordan Adams hit a pair of free throws as Highlands led by one with 45 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Love was called for a charge. Western State, like back in December, had a chance for the win again with 14 seconds left.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, just like back in December, Jordan Adams missed a triple at the buzzer. Adams led the team with 34 points while Biddle added 20.
The Cowboys never trailed the entire second half.
Up 21-20 in the first, eight unanswered by the Cowboys pushed out the advantage. Sullivan hit back-to-back triples before Love pushed the lead to nine on a fastbreak dunk. Highlands led by as much as 10 in the first half, but a Biddle layup and two free throws by Adams cut the Cowboys lead to 41-37 at the break.
The New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team returns to action Friday (Feb. 21) when it hosts Colorado School of Mines. Game time is set for 8 p.m.
