Western basketball subdued by Mountain Lions

The Mountaineer men’s basketball team dropped its 2025 home opener to University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) at home on Jan. 3.

The nonconference defeat moved the Mountaineers to a 4-7 overall record ahead of an RMAC contest against Fort Lewis on Jan. 9. Results were not available by press time.

On a day where the Mountaineers rued missed chances at the rim, the 8-4 Mountain Lions held a 10-point buffer throughout the majority of the contest. It started with a 2-point bucket from senior guard Kade Juelfs, but the Mountain Lions responded with an immediate strike from beyond the arc. Junior forward Andrew Reichart tied the game at 4-4, until UCCS accelerated on a 7-point run to take a double-digit cushion.

The Mountaineers attempted to chisel away at the Mountain Lion lead late in the half. Juelfs knocked down a three to move the score to 25-19, but UCCS extended the score with a flurry of baskets. Sophomore Tyler Hannigan steered the Crimson and Slate to within 10 points with two free throws in the final minutes. Western entered the locker room down 39-29.

With the student section away on holiday break, the Mountaineers chased any form of momentum in the abnormally quiet Paul Wright Gymnasium. Straight into the half, forward Jamel Hollins revived the sparse crowd and cut the lead to eight.

Then began a back-and-forth offensive overload. Juelfs pulled the Mountaineers back into single digits with a three, moving the score to 45-36. Senior guard Trey Anderson whittled the deficit down with a finish at the rim. Despite leading the team with 16 points, Anderson’s late effort was quelled by the Mountain Lions’ attack. UCCS fought fire with fire, and seemed to have a response to every Mountaineer bucket.

The contest ended 77-66, and stunted Western’s recent two-game win streak. The Mountaineers will return to conference action at home against New Mexico Highlands on Jan. 11.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)