Feb. 19, 2008

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - Metro State rallied from an eight-point deficit with 5:22 to play and defeated Colorado Christian, 80-77, in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game, Tuesday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

Metro State trailed by just two, 58-56, with 7:13 to go but Colorado Christian scored eight of the next 10 points to take a 66-58 advantage with 5:22 remaining in the game. However, Metro State went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line and also added two three pointers and a layup to tie the game at 74 with 1:35 to play. Metro State took its first lead of the second half on a layup by Daniel Bass with 49 seconds left and did not trail again.

Four players scored in double figures for Metro State, led by Terrell Burgess with 20 points and Marquise Carrington with 18 points, while Bass added 16 points and five boards in 29 minutes. Brian Stamer had 18 points, while Justin Neuhaus added 16 points and four blocks for the Cougars.

Both teams were sizzling from the field in the second half as the Cougars shot 62.5 percent (15-for-24) and Metro State shot 52 percent (11-for-21). The two teams combined for 17 treys, but the Roadrunners held a 26-14 advantage at the free-throw line, including 18-for-22 in the second half. Metro State also held a 31-25 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive rebounds.

The first half featured five lead changes and Colorado Christian led by just one at the break, 36-35, after a Guiseppe Ciancio trey at the buzzer. Metro State's leading scorer Jesse Wagstaff was held to two points in the first half after picking up his third foul on a charge with 9:23 left. Wagstaff ended up with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Metro State has now won five straight overall.

With the win, Metro State improves to 18-11 overall, 11-7 in the RMAC, while Colorado Christian falls to 16-10 overall, 13-5 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners host Colorado School of Mines, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.