RANGELY, Colo. – Scenic West Athletic Conference play started last week and the Colorado Northwestern men's basketball team started SWAC action undefeated at 2-0.
 
The Spartan's league opener was an 82-67 win against College of Southern Nevada on Thursday night at Hefley Gym. It marked CNCC's first win over CSN since the Coyotes restarted their men's basketball program in 2021. Head Coach Ben Cruickshank's squad kept itself tied for #1 in the SWAC standings on Saturday thanks to a 91-71 victory against Community Christian, also inside Hefley Gym.
 
Colorado Northwestern rolled into Thursday evening's contest carrying a 0-9 mark against College of Southern Nevada dating back to 2021. However, the home team set the tone early as Santiago Casarin started the game with a corner three. The Spartans never looked back, leading the game wire-to-wire. Defense carried CNCC in the first half, keeping the Coyotes off the board for the first five minutes of the game. By halftime, CSN only had 21 points on 21-percent shooting from the floor. The visitors exploded for 46 points in the second half, but the Spartans prevailed.
 
Mitch Jeppesen led CNCC's winning effort with 26 points on 90-percent shooting from the floor including a 2-for-3 mark from behind the three-point line. He also went 5-of-7 at the free-throw line and made it a double-double by pulling down 11 rebounds. Cole Johnson came up big as well, tallying 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Tyler Christensen gave Colorado Northwestern two double-doubles on the night after scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. It was Christensen's second double-double of the season. Rounding out Thursday's highlights was Donovan Maestas playing his first game back from a foot injury. In his sophomore debut, Maestas casually tallied 10 points.
 
On Saturday, Colorado Northwestern welcomed Community Christian College to Hefley Gym for the second time in the 2023-24 season. The Spartans and Saints played a non-conference game in Rangely on Tuesday, Dec. 5, which CNCC won easily, and the SWAC faceoff wasn't much different. While red-hot, three-point shooting by the visitors gave the Spartans a 44-47 halftime deficit, Coach Cruickshank's squad proved unfazed. They came out of the locker room energized and held CCC to 24 second-half points and exploded for 47 more of their own. That made the final 91-71 tally.
 
Individually, Tyler Christensen scored 25 points to lead the team. His output was fueled by six three-pointers. Christensen also added nine rebounds and four assists. Santiago Casarin took his turn ordering up a double-double, recording 11 points and 12 rebounds. Maestas upped his production from Thursday was 16 points. Mitch Jeppesen chipped in 14 points while Cole Johnson and Jude Ballstaedt each scored 11.
 
Saturday's victory was CNCC's 10th of the season, a milestone that had eluded the program for over a decade.
 
"It's a nice accomplishment, but I think it's something we will be able to enjoy more when the season is over," said Coach Cruickshank. "Right now, we are focused on finding a way to keep winning and reaching the postseason."
Colorado Northwestern Men's Basketball is back in action this week with a pair of tough road games. The Spartans first travel to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for a SWAC showdown at North Idaho College. The road swing continues Saturday at College of Southern Idaho. Fans who want to watch the games can subscribe to the Scenic West Network video streaming platform.

Fans can keep up with CNCC men's basketball on social media at @CnccMbb on "X" (formerly Twitter), at cncc_mbb on Instagram, and on Facebook by searching "CNCC Men's Basketball."