CSC men’s losing streak runs to five

The Eagles’ men’s basketball team lost two away games against the top seed Colorado School of Mines, 90-56, Friday, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 97-87, Saturday.

Against UCCS, the Eagles led 50-39 at halftime, but were unable to close out the game as    the Mountain Lions outscored CSC 18-8 in the final three minutes to complete their comeback.

According to CSC Sports Information, an altercation involving pushing and shoving between Mountain Lion and Eagle players took place after a UCCS player celebrated his 3-pointer to tie the game. After the altercation, the Eagles received two free throws and the Mountain Lions were awarded four. UCCS went 3 for 4 giving them their first lead of the game, 82-80.

The game marked CSC’s fifth consecutive loss while being outscored in the second half.

“We are going to focus on trying to keep our guys as fresh as possible so that we have more endurance in those second half games,” CSC Head Coach Houston Reed said. “We’ve got to trust the things that have gone well for us down the stretch here.”

Over the course of their now five game losing streak, the Eagles have been outscored 243-156 in the second half.

Freshman Jacob Jefferson, of Buckeye, Arizona, led the Eagles with 17 points, shooting 3 of 3 from behind the arc and 7 of 8 from the field.

Senior Dalton Walker, of Windsor, Colorado, led UCCS with 24 points while sophomore Isaiah Wilson, of Columbia, Missouri added 21 points. Both totals were season highs for the two Mountain Lions.

Against Colorado School of Mines, Friday, the Orediggers were dominant at the free throw line, converting 25 of 26 attempts. The Eagles sank just 5 of 10 free throws, a season low.

“We’ve got to do a better job in the second half,” Head Coach Houston Reed said. “We have really lost the free throw game in the second half.”

Scoring 11 points, junior Michael Sparks, of Denver, was the only Eagle to score in double-digits. In contrast, the Orediggers had five players hit that mark with Mason Baker, sophomore of Pocatello, Idaho, leading the way with 13 points.

Mines, who lead the RMAC with a 20-3 overall record, earned their 18th consecutive win, a new team record.

The Eagles now sit in the 10th in the RMAC following the losses. 

Friday night the Eagles host South Dakota School of Mines, who currently sit in ninth in the RMAC..

Saturday, CSC plays Black Hills State, who sit in third. The games will be the home finale for CSC with senior night on Saturday.

CSC’s current stretch of road games, which closed ended UCCS Saturday, began with an 82-62 loss to Black Hills State followed by an 80-59 loss to South Dakota Mines the next night.