Stags Survive Late Scare With Win Over Hope International

 @ Hope International University

 The CMS Stags defeated Hope International Friday night in their season opener 61-58 to go to 1-0 on the season. The stags were led in scoring by Senior Craig Borengasser with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman Chris Blees, starting for the first time for the stags had 10 points and 3 steals, including a layup with 18 seconds left in the game to seal the win. 

The Stags led throughout the majority of the game, and at half-time led Hope 32-27. Hope made a late surge at the end of the second half to cut the game to within 1 point with 1:00 minute left in the game. After a Stag timeout, Austin Soldner scored on an inbounds play to bring the lead to 3 points, before Hope International cut the lead back to 1 with :38 seconds remaining in the game. A  Hope timeout brought the game to 59-58 with :38 seconds remaining in the game. The stags worked the ball around, and found Senior Dan Winterbottom streaking to the basket off a curl cut and passing to Freshman Chris Blees for a lay-up with 18 seconds remaining in the game. The stags tough defense caused Hope to turnover the ball in the remaining seconds for the win.

The Stags bring a new lineup to the floor this year with over 12 players seeing the floor including 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 Sophomore's, and 2 Freshman. Look for great things to come from the stags this season.