Feb. 15, 2008

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - Marquise Carrington and Jesse Wagstaff combined for 46 points to lead Metro State to an 85-74 victory over Nebraska-Kearney in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game, Friday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

Carrington posted 24 points, four rebounds and an assist, while Wagstaff had 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists for Metro State, which had four players in double figures. Drake Beranek had 19 points and 12 boards, while Jeremy Cruise added 18 points and five rebounds for the Lopers.

Metro State opened the second half with eight straight points to break a 38-38 halftime tie and take a 46-38 advantage. The lead was 10 points, 64-54, with 8:20 remaining, but UNK closed to within four, 66-62, with less than six minutes left. It was a five-point game several times in the closing minutes but Metro State went 8-for-11 from the line in the last 1:22 of the game to seal the victory.

The Lopers held a 40-31 advantage on the boards but Metro State outscored Nebraska-Kearney at the free-throw line, 22-10, and forced 21 Loper turnovers while only having seven of its own. Both teams shot over 46 percent from the field in the game

Nebraska-Kearney jumped out to a 10-4 lead to open the game but Metro State came back to lead 17-14. The Roadrunners held a seven-point advantage, 33-26, with less than six minutes left in the period but the Lopers ended the half on a 12-5 run to tie the game at intermission, 38-38. Jeff Martin had all 14 of his points in the first half for UNK, while the period featured 10 lead changes. Metro State had just two turnovers in the half.

Metro State has won three straight games.

With the win, Metro State improves to 16-11 overall, 9-7 in the RMAC, while Nebraska-Kearney drops to 12-12 overall, 10-6 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners host Chadron State, tomorrow evening at 7 p.m.