Springfield, Massachusetts - After taking a large first-half lead, the Mules faced a revamped Ramapo College and couldn't hold onto their lead in the second half. Colby lost 76-70 in their opening game of the WNEU's Hampton Inn Holiday Classic, taking their record to 3-1 overall. 

The Mules came out strong but Ramapo seemed to have an answer. Marcos Montiel opened the scoring, followed by two three-pointers each from Sam Hinman and Nate Kwiecinski. The trio combined for 18 of Colby's first 20 points. Around the seven-minute mark, the game was all square at 25. From then on, the Mules held them to two baskets while offensively, putting up 20 points. The trio from earlier each knocked down another from beyond the arc, but Montiel continued to knock down threes as he made two more. The sophomore ended with 16 points in the first half as Colby led 45-29 heading into the break.

The second half was the polar opposite of the first. The Roadrunners came storming back from the whistle, scoring 15 straight while the Mules didn't register a basket until seven minutes in. Colby quickly responded and regained momentum as Hinman and Max Poulton extended their lead to 9 with ten minutes to go. But like at the start of the half, Ramapo crawled their way back and eventually took a five-point lead with less than two minutes to go. Montiel and Hinman took advantage of two late fouls and knocked down free throws, but ultimately it wasn't enough as the Mules dropped their first game of the season while Ramapo stayed undefeated.

Colby is back in action tomorrow at noon against Penn State Altoona.