Ranger Men Hold Off Pesky Kansas Wesleyan 87-82

Denver, Colo.: Regis men's basketball jumps out early and then holds off late rally by Kansas Wesleyan to win 87-82 in non-conference action.  Regis hit on a season-best 86.4 percent from the charity stripe to hold off a pesky Coyote team.

Regis (4-7) began the game on an 11-3 run and carried that margin throughout most of the first half, going into the lockerroom with a 38-27 advantage.  Regis limited Kansas Wesleyan (7-7) to just 37 percent shooting and forced them into eight turnovers.

The Coyotes went on a 12-2 run over a 3:30 span to cut the lead to 43-40 with 14:12 remaining in the game.  The Rangers kept at least a three-point lead over the next five minutes and ballooned it to 10 with 9:30 remaining.

Regis again led by 10 (69-59) with 6:57 remaining, when the Coyotes went on another 12-2 run to tie the game for the first time.  The Rangers led by six after a deep three from junior guard Matt Rosinski with just 49 seconds remaining.  On the ensuing possession Kansas Wesleyan's Trey Sims hit a three-pointer of his own with just 33 ticks remaining.

Regis hit 6-of-6 free throws to ice the game and escape with the 87-82 victory.

The 87 points scored by Regis is a season-high along with the season best free throw percentage.  Rosinski led the way for Regis with 20 points, while adding five assists.  Three other Rangers were in double figures led by junior forward Alex Potts who was just one point shy of his career high with 18 points.  Senior guard Andy Pokorny chipped in with 13 points while junior forward Joseph Odugbela garnered 10. 

Trey Sims led the way for Kansas Wesleyan with 22 points as they outrebounded Regis 36-28 including 16 offensive rebounds.

Regis is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on Peru State (Neb.) at 2 PM at the Regis Fieldhouse.

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