RMAC Tournament Bracket
Mesa State (22-5) dropped its first home game this season falling to CSU-Pueblo 73-65 in the first round of the RMAC post season tournament.
The ThunderWolves (17-10) shot 56.5 percent (26-46) from the floor including 69.6 percent (16-23) in the second half, upending the No. 1 seeded mavericks. CSU-P eliminated MSC last season in the first round of the tournament at Brownson Arena.
CSU-P’s Roman Van Allen led all players with 24 points, 18 coming in the second half. Van Allen hit 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and added a game high five steals.
MSC turned the ball over 16 times, 11 in the second half, and were out rebounded by the T-wolves 26-20.
MSC led 32-29 at half on a 3-point buzzer shot by Justin Ashbaugh.
In the second half the lead changed hands five times and was tied on four different occasions; the last time coming at 14:51. The T-Wolves then went on a 9-2 run and led by as many as 10 points (57-67) with 3:16 left in regulation.
MSC pulled to within 2 points (65-67) with an 8-0 run with 1:03 remaining. CSU-P scored the final six points, eliminating the Mavericks.
Lance Fite led the Mavericks with 19 points. Mike Dominguez finished with 15 points. Jase Herl had 10 points, four assists and a game high seven rebounds.
MSC ranked No. 2 in last week’s Central Regional poll will await word Sunday night when the NCAA selection committee will announce the pairings for the Central Regional Tournament March 13-16 at a site to be determined. The top eight teams earn a post season tournament bid to the regional tournament.