DENVER, COLO. - The No. 15 Metro State College men's basketball team shot 66.7 percent from the field in the first half to build a nine-point lead at the break and cruise to a 70-61 victory over Regis on the road in the battle of two Denver RMAC schools. The Roadrunners, who have already clinched the regular season Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title, improved to 23-3 and 17-1 in the RMAC, while Regis dropped to 7-19 overall and 4-14 in the RMAC.
Metro State was led by Jesse Wagstaff (Canberra, Australia/Radford College)'s 12th career double-double as the senior had game-highs with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Wagstaff hit 9-of-12 from the field. Marquise Carrington and Brian Minor each had 12 points for Metro State. Carrington added five assists.
Trailing 13-12 with 13:43 left in the first half, Metro State scored nine consecutive points over the next four minutes to take a 21-13 lead as the Roadrunners scored four baskets in the paint. Metro State built a 13-point lead at 41-28 with one minute to go in the first half and held on to a 41-32 halftime lead.
Wagstaff led both teams with 11 points in the first half, hitting 5-of-6 from the field as Metro State hit 18-of-27 from the field as a team. Chris Robinson scored all nine of his points on the evening in the first half.
Regis opened the second half on a roll, tying the game at 45-45 six-and-a-half minutes into the period. Metro State answered on the defensive end, holding the Rangers scoreless for the next six minutes to take a 52-45 lead with 7:24 left.
Metro State stretched its lead back out to 11 with under 2:30 to play. The Roadrunners, despite shooting just 51.7 (15-for-29) percent from the line for the game, hit 6-of-8 free throws in the final 1:09 to ice the game. Carrington converted all four of his attempts during that time.
The Roadrunners' free throw percentage of 51.7 was their second-lowest of the season. Additionally, they were out-rebounded by 17 (44-to-27), their worst rebounding margin of the season. However, Metro State shot 56.5 percent from the field, its second-highest field goal percentage this season and forced 17 turnovers to hold off the Rangers. The Roadrunners also owned the paint, outscoring Regis 44-20 down low.
Regis was led by Matt Rosinski with 20 points.
Metro State wraps up the regular season on Saturday when it travels to Colorado-Colorado Springs at 8 p.m. The RMAC Shootout will begin on Tuesday, March 3 at home against an opponent to be determined.
