Nov. 17, 2007

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - No. 13-ranked Metro State scored 55 second-half points and four players scored in double figures as the Roadrunners defeated Langston, 88-58, at the Comfort Inn Tip Off Classic men's basketball tournament, Saturday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

In the first game of the day, Dixie State's Kasey Winters had his second straight double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds as the Rebels defeated Colorado Christian, 85-72.

Metro State had 15 second-half field goals, including nine three pointers, as the Roadrunners turned a nine-point halftime advantage into a 30-point rout. Guiseppe Ciancio posted a game-high 20 points, including six three pointers, while Terrell Burgess had 15 points and Marquise Carrington added 13 points and nine assists for the Roadrunners. Phillip Brooks had 16 points, while Reggie Dunn had 10 points and 11 boards for the Lions.

Metro State forced 18 turnovers on the evening and only had 10 of its own. The Roadrunners also had 19 assists on 26 field goals.

"We did a great job taking care of the basketball and finally took care of it how we have been wanting to," said Roadrunner head coach Brannon Hays. "We also did a nice job sharing the basketball."

Metro State scored 10 of the first 11 points of the contest, but Langston chipped away and trailed by only four, 26-22, with 2:10 remaining in the first half. The Roadrunners closed the period on a 7-2 run to lead by nine at the break, 33-24. Langston went ice cold to end the first half and start the second, though, as Metro State pulled away after intermission. The Lions were 1-for-6 from the floor to end the first half, then started the second half 2-for-14 as the Roadrunners pulled away.

Metro State shot 24-for-26 from the charity stripe in the contest, including a perfect 16-for-16 in the second half. Langston held a 43-31 rebounding advantage, including 23 offensive boards.

"They did a great job attacking the glass," said Hays. "Once we started getting some rebounds in the second half, we pushed away. We also did a fantastic job at the free-throw line."

Metro State improves to 3-2 on the season, while Langston falls to 0-2 overall. The Roadrunners are in Los Angeles next weekend for the CS Los Angeles Classic.

In the first game of the evening, the Rebels opened up a 17-point second-half advantage, then withstood a furious Cougar rally to get their first win of the season.

Dixie State led by 17 points, 53-37, with 16:29 to play, only to see Colorado Christian mount a comeback and cut the lead to just six, 65-59, with 8:35 to play. However, the Rebels scored four straight to push it back up to 10 with seven minutes to go.

Winters had his second straight double-double with game highs in both points and rebounds, while Ryan Sanchez posted 19 points and six boards for Dixie State. Colorado Christian was led by Brian Stamer's 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Dixie State outscored the Cougars at the free-throw line, 30-10, as it went 30-for-33 from the charity stripe on the night. Dixie State also held a 39-25 rebounding margin and had four players in double figures.

Dixie State opened up a 10-point halftime advantage, 41-31, after ending the last five-plus minutes of the half on a 13-3 run. Dixie State had just two turnovers in the opening period.

With the win, Dixie State moves to 1-1 overall, while Colorado Christian falls to 1-1 on the season.