UCCS men’s basketball to play in tournament semifinal

The UCCS men’s basketball team will play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout semifinal game against Colorado School of Mines at 5 p.m. March 7 at the Auraria Events Center, Denver.

This is first semifinal tournament appearance by the Mountain Lions in program history.

All UCCS students who show their ID at the game will receive free admission, courtesy of the UCCS Athletic Department. A free shuttle for students will leave at 3 p.m Friday afternoon from El Pomar Center clock tower. Students should register in advance at the University Center Information Desk to guarantee a seat.

A fan bus for faculty, staff and boosters will also depart at 3 p.m. The $15 fee includes a game ticket, transportation and a Jimmy John’s sandwich. Registrations are encouraged and can be made online at https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/UCOC/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=170668.

Fans who travel on their own can park in the Tivoli Parking Structure at Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway for free, but will need to have their parking stub validated at the game. Tickets for fans are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $5 for non-UCCS students with ID and children, and free for UCCS students (with ID) and for children younger than 5.

Fans who are unable to travel for the game can also watch the game for free at Clyde’s, located on the lower level of the University Center. Comcast Entertainment Television will produce the game with Brian Roth of the Colorado State Rams Sports Network, Marty Cesario of the CSU Sports Network and ESPN, and former Arena Football League quarterback Sherdrick Bonner providing commentary. The semifinal game will be shown on a tape delay for Comcast subscribers on the Front Range on Channel 105 at 3 p.m. March 8.

The Mountain Lions advanced to the semifinals with their first playoff victory in program history in the quarterfinals March 4 against Adams State. UCCS won 20 games for the first time in program history and the team is ranked No. 10 in the latest NCAA Division II South Central Region rankings.

If the Mountain Lions win against Colorado Mines, they will play the winner of the Metro State v. Fort Lewis game for the championship. The championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 8 at the Auraria Events Center and will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 105.