Nov. 16, 2007

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - No. 13-ranked Metro State shot 54.8 percent from three-point land for the game and the Roadrunners defeated Dixie State, 93-71, at the Comfort Inn Tip Off Classic men's basketball tournament, Friday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

In the first game of the tournament, Colorado Christian (1-0) defeated Langston (0-1), 81-64.

Metro State (2-2) had five players in double figures, led by Daniel Bass with 18 points, while Terrell Burgess posted 15 points and Guiseppe Ciancio added 13. Jesse Wagstaff added seven rebounds, while Marquise Carrington had 12 points and seven assists for the Roadrunners. Kasey Winters registered game-highs of 26 points and 16 boards for Dixie State (0-1).

"Our game plan was to get everyone part of the offense," said Roadrunner head coach Brannon Hays. "Today we worked together well and as a result, our turnovers were down and our shooting percentage was up. The strength of our program is the versatility and the number of guys that can stick open shots."

Metro State converted 17-for-31 from long range, including 10-for-16 in the second half (.625). Bass was 4-for-8 from long range, while seven different players had at least one trey for Metro State. Dixie State went 22-for-28 from the charity stripe, as Metro State went to the line just eight times in the entire game, while making six. However, the Rebels made just three buckets from long range. Dixie State held a 30-27 advantage on the boards, but the Roadrunners forced 21 turnovers.

"Our defense was active," said Hays. "We forced turnovers. Dixie State is a very disciplined team and we took them out of their stuff."

The Roadrunners led by 20 at the break, 45-25. With the game tied at seven, Metro State went on a 38-18 run over the final 16-plus minutes of the period. Winters had a double-double at the half for Dixie State with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

In the opening game of the tournament, the Cougars shot 65.2 percent in the first half to open up a 12-point advantage, 42-30, before coasting in for the win.

Four players scored in double figures for CCU, led by Rory Morgan with 18 points and six assists, while Brian Stamer added 13 points and eight boards. Ralph Hishaw led the Lions with 15 points and nine boards, while Me'Shon Lewis had 13 points.

The Cougars were 15-for-23 from the field in the opening half, including 6-for-10 from long range. Langston shot just 38 percent in the first half with eight field goals, but stayed close thanks to 13-for-15 from the charity stripe. The Lions were 20-for-27 from the free-throw line for the game, but made just two treys.

Colorado Christian never trailed in the game, taking a 2-0 lead on an opening dunk by Justin Neuhaus.

In tournament action Saturday, Colorado Christian takes on Dixie State at 5 p.m., followed by the Roadrunners against Langston at 7 p.m.