GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Black Hills State University men's basketball team fell to Colorado Mesa, 76-71, for their first conference loss, on Saturday night.  The Green and Gold move to a 6-1 conference record (7-4 overall).
 
Fraser Malcolm led the Yellow Jackets with 20 points, followed by Tyler Oliver with 15. Stefan Desnica brought down six boards to lead the Green and Gold.
 
The first half tipped off as a back-and-forth affair, with neither team setting a substantial lead.  The Yellow Jackets strung together a 13-2 run to lead the Mavericks, 21-16.  Back-to-back jumpers for Colorado Mesa (10-3, 5-2 RMAC) brought the score within one before the Mavericks took a 33-28 lead to end the half.
 
In the second half, a three-pointer by Fraser Malcolm brought the game within one, in favor of the Mavericks.  Later, the Green and Gold went on an 8-2 run to take back the lead.  Colorado Mesa switched the momentum, putting the score in favor of the Mavericks, before Connor O'Hearn hit a three to put the Yellow Jackets ahead, 63-62.  With less than two minutes to go, Colorado Mesa went ahead of the Green and Gold.  The Mavericks would eventually go on to win the game.
 
Leading the Mavericks was Connor Nichols with 37 points and seven rebounds.  Behind him was Tommy Nuno with 14 points. 
 
Colorado Mesa shot 52.6 percent (30-for-57) from the floor, while BHSU shot 43.3 percent (26-for-60) from the field.  The Yellow Jackets were 9-for-31 (29.0 percent) from behind the arc, while the Mavericks were 3-for-14 (21.4 percent).  Black Hills State outrebounded Colorado Mesa 32-28. 
 
The Yellow Jackets will next take on Colorado Christian and Regis at home on January 11 and 12.  Game time is slated for 7:30 on Friday night against the Cougars, and 6 p.m. on Saturday against the Rangers.