Jan. 13, 2007

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - No. 12-ranked Metro State rallied from a six-point deficit with 10:05 remaining in the game and went on to defeat Western New Mexico, 78-67, in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game, Saturday night at the Auraria Events Center.

"We went back to our trademarks," said Roadrunner head coach Brannon Hays, about the comeback. "We started having better defensive pressure and tightened down. We did a better job of our ball pressure and it helped us make our run. Regardless of the score, this team keeps its composure and we finish the game making good decisions."

The Mustangs trailed at the half, 37-35, but went 6-for-9 from the floor to start the second half and led 60-54 with just over 10 minutes to play. The Roadrunners caught fire, reeling off a 9-0 run to take a 63-60 advantage with 7:10 to play. With Metro State leading 66-62, the Mustangs' Trey Clarkson was called for a charge, his fifth personal foul. An argument ensued and he was also whistled for a technical foul. Michael Bahl hit both free throws for the Roadrunners and Metro State led 68-62 with 6:13 remaining. The Mustangs pulled to within three, 70-67, with 3:41 remaining in the game but Metro State responded with a pair of free throws by Terrell Burgess to push it back to five. Western New Mexico went 4-for-15 from the field over the last 10:05 of the game after starting 21-for-37 from the floor.

Bahl scored a game-high 21 points, while Burgess added 13 points and six assists and Moussa Coulibaly had nine boards for Metro State. Jason Jackson posted 20 points, four rebounds and four assists for Western New Mexico, while Clarkson added 14 points and four assists.

The Roadrunners dominated on the boards, 38-29, including 16 offensive rebounds. They outscored the Mustangs at the charity stripe, 21-8, and also forced 18 Western New Mexico turnovers.

"We've put a big emphasis all week on rebounding," said Hays. "It was nice to see the guys active on the glass. We really needed that."

Metro State scored the first five points of the game only to see Western New Mexico go on a 17-4 run and take a 17-9 lead. The Roadrunners responded with a 22-6 run of their own to lead 31-23 with 4:26 remaining in the period. However, the Mustangs closed the half with a 12-6 streak, including a three pointer at the buzzer by Jackson, and trailed by just two, 37-35, at intermission. Western New Mexico shot 53.6 percent (15-for-28) from the floor in the half, but was 0-for-5 from the free-throw line. Metro State was just 2-for-11 from long range. Jesse Wagstaff had eight of his 10 points in the first half for Metro State.

With the win, Metro State improves to 13-2 overall, 6-1 in the RMAC, while Western New Mexico falls to 7-8 overall, 3-4 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners host Colorado Christian, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. That game will be broadcast on Altitude.