LAKEWOOD, Colo.—The Westminster men's basketball defeated Colorado Christian University, 83-77, for three straight wins and improving to 5-2 on the season.
 
The Griffins shot 51.8% from the field (29-56), going 6-17 from three, and 79.2% (19-24) from the stripe. CCU shot 44.2% (23-52) from the field, making 16-30 from three (16-30), and 93.8% from the stripe (15-16).

Westminster won the battle in the paint outscoring the Cougars 44-14 and took advantage of CCU's 23 turnovers to outscore them 29-8 off turnovers. The Bench came up big for the Griffins with 23 points.

The lead changed five times with each basket of the opening four minutes. Brayden Johnson and Brandon Willardson each scored four in an 8-0 run to give Westminster the lead, 14-8, which they would hold for the rest of the game.
 
A second 8-0 run pushed the lead to nine. Johnson scored six in the run started by a pair of free throws by Matt Kitzman. Westminster finished the first half with a 10-point lead, 38-28.
 
Reme Torbert scored 14 and Joey Andrew scored three as Westminster started the second half with a 17-7 run for a 20-point lead, its largest of the game.
 
Midway through the half, Westminster's lead fell to 11 as missed chances and turnovers allowed the Cougars to go on a 10-run.
 
Leading by five in the final minute, Westminster shot 9-10 from the free throw line to hold on for the win.
 
Isaiah Banks, Torbert and Willardson led the team with 16 points each. Banks shot 7-14 from the field, led the team with six assists and four steals. Willardson went 8-9 from the field and Torbert was 5-6 making 3-4 from three and going 3-3 from the stripe.
 
Joey Andrews led the team underneath the basket with six rebounds and a blocked shot. Banks grabbed five rebounds with a blocked shot and Johnson and Willardson each grabbed four rebounds and a blocked shot.
 
The Griffins play MSU Denver Saturday night at 6 pm. Visit www.westminstergriffins.com/coverage to watch them live on the RMAC Network or follow along with live stats.