Most CC students spent winter break skiing, traveling, or spending time at home with their friends and family. Not the boys on CC’s men’s basketball team, though. Winter break is right in the middle of their season, which stretches from Block 2 to Block 6. The boys had a quick turnaround of just 10 days at home before they returned to Colorado Springs to get back on the courts.
The basketball team had several conference games this past break. Despite the team’s fierce determination and intensity, they lost in close battles to the University of Dallas, Centenary College, and Austin College.
According to Aaron Acosta ’22, “the team’s spirits never fell.” This mentality paid off when CC defended its home court in early January against rival teams from Schreiner University and Trinity University.
In CC’s game against Schreiner, Devin Martinez ’22 recorded the first double-double of his career. Martinez connected on seven of eight shots from the floor and all nine of his free-throw attempts while posting a season-high of 24 points. The freshman forward also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. His teammate Edmund Pendleton ’20 sank seven of eight free throws during the final two minutes of the game.
Isaac Zachem ’22 went 3-for-3 in three-pointers in the second half and made crucial free throws with five seconds remaining to help seal CC’s victory. The guard produced season highs with 11 points and five rebounds.
Lead by Martinez, Pendleton, and Zachem, Colorado College rallied for an 86–79 victory over Schreiner University in Reid Arena.
In a defensive battle against Trinity University, Colorado College, led by forward CooXooEii Black ’20, picked up a crucial SCAC victory by defeating the team 58–51 at home.
Black made important free throws to give CC a lead and then CC’s defense held Trinity scoreless during the final minutes of the game to secure their victory. Black blocked several attempted layups from Trinity and the forward turned an offensive rebound into a Colorado College basket, creating a 55–51 lead with 27 seconds to play.
Black finished with game highs of 15 points and 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.
“We push ourselves to our maximum limit,” Acosta said. “The team is high intensity, high energy, and we always try to have a positive mindset. What surprised me the most when I first joined the team was how inclusive the older guys are, both on and off the court.”
Colorado College will continue to play conference games until the SCAC tournament, which begins in early February. The team is ranked ninth in the conference, with a record of 2–8, and stand 4.5 games out of playoff contention.
The top six teams in the SCAC qualify for the final conference tournament and its winner qualifies for the Division III Men’s Basketball Chmpionahip NCAAs in March.
Good luck, Tigers!