Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - Metro State rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half and defeated Chadron State, 66-56, in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game, Saturday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

Metro State held a two-point halftime lead, 33-31, but the Eagles came out and scored five straight points to open the second half. Chadron State led by as many as eight, 48-40, with 10:13 to play before the Roadrunners rallied. Metro State went on a 9-0 run to take a 49-48 advantage with 6:21 to play and it would not trail again. The Eagles cut it to 57-54, with 3:27 left but Jesse Wagstaff scored five straight points to put it out of reach.

Wagstaff scored a game-high 20 points and also added nine rebounds, while Guiseppe Ciancio and Lawrence Billings each posted 13 points for Metro State. Kyle Cotton scored 16 points and pulled down nine boards for Chadron State.

The Roadrunners held Chadron State to just 36 percent shooting from the floor, while they shot 50 percent in the second half. Metro State also converted 88 percent of its free throws, shooting 22-for-25 in the game, including 14-for-16 in the first half.

Chadron State led 11-3 early but Metro State went on an 18-3 run to take a 21-14 advantage with less than eight minutes to play in the period. Chadron State came back, though, to close to within two, 33-31, at the break. Both teams shot under 38 percent from the floor. Cotton had 10 of his points in the first half for Chadron State.

Metro State has won 18 straight over the Eagles and four straight overall.

With the win, Metro State improves to 17-11 overall, 10-7 in the RMAC, while Chadron State drops to 7-18 overall, 6-11 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners host Colorado Christian, Tuesday at 7 p.m.