Ryan Mathew's season and game high 26 points Friday night at Colorado Christian was not enough to overcome the Cougars balanced attack as CCU handed the Mavericks a 90-78 loss in the opening weekend of RMAC play. CCU had four players in double digit figures, including 15 three-pointers, nine of those in the second half.

MSC's Justin Ashbaugh finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, scoring 10 second half points. Kurt Bangle led the Mavs with 11 boards.

CCU led 35-29 at half and doubled up the Mavs on a 3-pointer by Rory Morgan with 10:05 remaining in the game. MSC was never able to get closer than 11 points and trailed by as many as 20 with just over five minutes remaining.

Saturday night at Metro State the Mavericks defeated the Roadrunners 68-67 hitting 24 of 27 from the foul line to improve to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference action.

MSC was led by Ashbaugh and Jake Swartzendruber's 18 points each. Ashbaugh was 7-of-10 from the field and Swartzendruber hit 10-of-12 from the free throw line, including the final free throw with 12 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Ryan Mathew's finished with 12 points (6-for-6 free throws) and three assists. Bassey Ekong pulled down a game high eight rebounds and finished with seven points and three assists. The Mavericks out rebounded the Roadrunners 34-23.

Despite 13 first half turnovers the Mavericks trailed by one (28-29) at half. Metro forced seven second half turnovers.

MSC took a one point lead at 12:40 of the second half on a three-pointer by Sean Flohr (42-41) and never trailed again. MSC held a seven point lead with 1:01 remaining when Metro hit a trey and forced a Maverick turnover resulting in a Roadrunner basket. Down two (65-67) Metro sent Swartzendruber to the foul line where Jake hit 1-of-2 for a three point MSC lead. Metro scored to pull to within 67-68 with four seconds remaining as the Mavs closed out the game.

MSC returns home to host Neb.-Kearney Thursday night and Chadron State on Saturday evening. Both games are set to tip-off at 8 PM.

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