GOLDEN, Colo. (November 14, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University men's basketball was unable to contain 10^th-ranked Colorado School of Mines and Oredigger Gokul Natesan in an 83-68 loss Saturday night at the RMAC/Heartland Challenge inside Lockridge Arena.
 
The Chaparrals (1-1, 0-0 Heartland) had difficulty stopping Natesan as he racked up a career and game-high 26 points that included a 6-of-11 showing from three-point range. Foul trouble plagued LCU, as no Chap played more than 29 minutes in the game and made it difficult to gain any sort of rhythm. Isaac Cardona chalked up a perfect shooting night by going 4-of-4 from the floor by draining both of his three-point attempts and hitting his two free throws for 12 points. Teammates A.J. Luckey and Tyler Rogers also registered a team-high dozen points.
 
Tonight's loss marked the third unsuccessful attempt for LCU in bringing down a nationally ranked team since transitioning into the NCAA. The Chaps have suffered a defeat in each of the past two seasons, dropping both contests to then number two Tarleton State in 2013-14 and 12^th-ranked TSU in 2014-15.
 
CSM (2-0, 0-0 RMAC) knocked down all four of their shots from beyond the arc six minutes into the contest to take an 18-8 advantage and increased the gap to 12 on a Natesan three-pointer. A layup by Brennen Fowler and a three-pointer by Luckey cut the lead to seven, but another Nateson shot from deep upped the gap to 12. Ridrell Holman drilled a three from the right wing one second before the halftime buzzer sounded for a score of 44-35.
 
The teams traded buckets within the first three minutes of the second half, and a Cardona layup pulled the Chaps closer at 48-40. The Orediggers led 57-46 at the 12:15 mark before nine straight CSM points blew open the game at 66-46. Matthew Alford and Rogers each got the Chaps to within 13 points but not enough time remained for LCU to draw any closer.
 
The Chaps continue their road swing at West Texas A&M Thursday at 7 p.m.