BOULDER, Colo. – With less than three minutes to play in Wednesday night's game, LMU men's basketball and #20 Colorado were all tied at 61-61. LMU (3-5) held the lead for over 18 minutes of the game, but could not complete the upset bid.

"Our defense led to some easy baskets in the first and second half at time, and that kind of kept the crowd out of it until ultimately they wore us down," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "Eli is an unusual player because he is a facilitator. He would rather move the ball over what he did tonight, and we have been encouraging him to play downhill and off the blocks and score. It just has been a steady progression for him to have a game like he did tonight."
 
The Buffs started the game with the first eight points, but LMU chipped away with seven of the next nine to make it a one-possession game in the first five and a half minutes.
 
LMU used an 8-1 run to take their first lead of the game, 23-20.
 
The Lions used another 6-0 run to extend the lead to 29-21 following a Deovaunta Williams fast break dunk with three minutes to play until the half. For the second-straight game, Williams his career high and hit double-figures for the first time with 11 points.
 
Eli Scott drained a three to make it a 32-24 game, before Colorado closed out the half on a 6-2 run. Scott led all players at the break with 15 points and six rebounds.
 
Colorado took their first lead of the second half with a three at the 9:29 mark, but Scott quickly did work on the offensive end of the ball to give the advantage back to the Lions, 52-51. Five of the game's six lead changes occurred in the second half.
 
Scott hit his career high mark with a converted and-1 at the 8:11 mark, before finishing with 31 points. Scott's previous career high was 21 points, which he scored as a freshman against UC Riverside.
 
Colorado hit a three with 2:41 on the clock to take a three-point lead. The Buffs went on a 12-3 run to close out the game, with Scott's dunk right as time expired counting for LMU's lone field goal in the final stretch.
 
No opponent has shot better than .408 against Colorado this season, LMU finished the game at 51.9 percent (27-for-52). The Lions shot 7-for-17 from the free throw line, including 3-for-10 in the second half.
 
The Lions continued to do the majority of work in the paint, outscoring Colorado 48-22 in the key. LMU also held the advantage in points off turnovers with a 24-19 advantage.

"We have the talent to play against a Power-5 team," said Dunlap. "We are young and we are learning how to win. Those are all encouraging things."

LMU will play six of their next seven games at home, including this Saturday against Grambling State at 7 p.m. Saturday's game will be the annual Teddy Bear Toss at halftime, for fans to bring donated stuffed animals and throw on the court for charity.