CANYON, Texas — Nationally-ranked Colorado Mesa University used a 27-6 run over a 10 minute stretch early in the second half to erase a nine point deficit and eventually secure a 76-65 victory over Daemen College here tonight during second day action of the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) Tip-Off Classic at the First United Center on the campus of West Texas A&M University.

Both teams are now 1-1 on the season. Colorado Mesa entered the tournament ranked No. 4 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) top 25 poll. Daemen is receiving votes in the NABA top 25.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• All-America center Andrew Sischo (Guilderland, N.Y.) was limited to just nine minutes in the first half after picking up three personal fouls and finished the game with just nine points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes of action—snapping a streak of 67-straight games in which he has scored in double figures. Sischo did become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the East Coast Conference with his nine points tonight, as he has now total 2,248 points over his outstanding career. Sischo broke the record previously held by former St. Thomas Aquinas standout Justin Reyes, who racked top 2,247 points over his career with the Spartans.
• Graduate student Sean Fasoyiro (Houston, Texas) turned in a solid effort for the Wildcats in his home state. He connected on 6-of-11 shots and totaled a team-high 15 points. He also added a team-high nine rebounds and a team-high three steals. 
• Ryan Salzberg (Manlius, N.Y.) and Nick MacDonald (Amherst, N.Y.) both finished with nine points, while Andrew Mason (Webster, N.Y.) added eight.
• A trio of redshirt freshmen led the way for the Mavericks, who had four players score in double figures. Trevor Baskin connected on all seven of his shots and contributed 17 points in just 13 minutes off the bench, while Mac Riniker made 8-of-11 shots and also scored 17 points. Blaise Threatt added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks.

WILDCATS STRUGGLE IN SECOND HALF

Daemen held a 44-35 lead just 2:17 into the second half, but the Wildcats would connect on just five of 20 (25%) shots over the final 17:43 minutes. The Mavericks outscored the Wildcats 27-6 from the 17:34 mark to the 7:45 mark of the second half and CMU took a 12-point lead, 62-50, after Baskin drained a three pointer with 7:45 to play. Daemen cut the lead in half following an 8-2 run, as a conventional three-point play by Salzberg with 5:51 left capped the spurt and made the score 64-58. The Wildcats would come no closer, as CMU answered with a 10-2 run to secure the win.

Daemen shot just 37-percent (21-57) from the floor for the game, while the Mavericks connected on 29-of-59 shots (49%). CMU also posted a commanding 48-26 advantage in points in the paint.

NEXT JUMP BALL

The three day tournament comes to a close tomorrow as the Wildcats take on tournament host West Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. (CDT). The Buffs are ranked No. 3 nationally and improved to 2-0 following an 87-65 victory over Minnesota State Moorhead tonight.

Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 18 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

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