Box Score
GUNNISON, Colo. - Dan Biber scored a career-high 32 points and the Mountaineers grabbed 52 rebounds as Western State (4-14, 1-10 RMAC) collected its first conference victory with a 94-82 win against Western New Mexico (7-11, 6-5 RMAC) tonight in Paul Wright Gym. Dan Hobin also added another 16 points.
The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Mountaineers, who matched their season-high in points from the season-opener against Northern New Mexico Nov. 15. Western State out-rebound Western New Mexico by 20, the largest rebounding difference since Nov. 30, 2005.
The Mountaineers shot 47 percent through the first eight minutes of the game, but trailed by three as the Mustangs shot 64 percent. After a three-pointer by Biber tied the game with 11 minutes and 44 seconds remaining before halftime, Western New Mexico assembled a 17-6 run to open a 39-28 lead with 6:53 remaining.
The strong shooting from the Mustangs died during the final 6:53 of the first half, as one-of-11 shooting and four turnovers allowed the Mountaineers to close the half on a 13-2 run and tie the game going into halftime at 41-41. Four Mountaineers scored during the run, led by four points apiece from Biber and Weylan Towns.
Western State entered the locker room shooting 44 percent and had collected a season-high five blocks by the half. Biber led the Mountaineers with 12 points on five-of-six shooting the field and a pair of three-pointers.
The Mountaineers scored on their first four possessions of the second half to open a six-point lead with 17:47 left. The Mustangs tied the game for the fifth time just more than two minutes later, but couldn't take the lead as Western State replied with a 7-3 run, capped by a three-pointer from Lachlan Kirwan with 13:45 remaining.
Both teams exchanged five-point runs and the Mustangs added another five-point rally to take a one-point lead with just less than nine minutes in the second half. Western State closed the game on a 25-12 rally, with 10 points coming from free throws, to claim the first conference victory of the season.
Biber reached the 600-point collegiate scoring mark with his 32 points with 12 field goals and four three-pointers. He brought down eight rebounds in the second half and finished a rebound shy of a double-double and added a pair of assists.
Hobin scored 16 for his best performance in the conference season and went four-of-four from the free-throw line for his 10th perfect game this season. Alex Hart scored 10 points, his most since the Metro State game Dec. 12.
Alex Barthule made his first collegiate start and finished with a team-high four assists. Weylan Towns led both teams with three steals.
Up Next: The Mountaineers continue their four-game homestand with rival Adams State Feb. 5. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.