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DENVER - Metro State used a 14-2 run in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit for the fourth time this season as it topped Nebraska-Kearney 68-63 on Friday at home.  The Roadrunners improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while UNK fell to 4-3 and 2-1.

The Roadrunners shot 65.4 percent in the second half, overcoming a dismal 32.3 percent shooting first half to even out at 47.4 percent for the game.  They also enjoyed a 35-27 rebounding edge and committed just 14 turnovers.  Metro State made just 7-of-19 at the line and UNK stayed close by making 13-of-16.

Jonathan Morse (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) tied a career high with 22 points and added eight rebounds and five steals, shooting 9-of-10 from the floor.  Reggie Evans (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview H.S.) also added 21 points and had five steals, four rebounds and three assists.  It was the first time in nearly a year that two Roadrunners scored 20 points in the same game, the last time coming on Dec. 18 last season in a win over Carroll College (Mont.).

Quaran Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Friends' Central H.S.) scored 14 points, hitting 3-of-6 from the outside and had three assists.  #A.J. Flournoy# was limited to just one point, but tied a career high with six assists and had six rebounds.

Metro State trailed nearly the entire first half, taking its first lead at 25-24 on a 3-pointer by Johnson with 23 seconds left.  But UNK answered with a triple by Drew Sankey to bring a 27-25 lead into the break.  It was the sixth time in seven games this season that Metro State has gone into halftime behind on the scoreboard.  The Lopers never led by more than five in the first half, despite leading until the final minute.

It remained a tight game over the first eight minutes with eight ties and two lead changes until UNK went on a 10-4 run to lead 49-43 with 11:14 left.  However, Metro State answered with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to build a 6-point lead of its own at 57-51 with 7:17 to play.  The 6-point lead was as large as Metro State's lead would get all night, but the Roadrunners maintained the lead the rest of the game.  The Lopers made just two field goals over the final six minutes of the game.

Metro State will host Chadron State at 7 p.m. on Saturday.