Box Score

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The Metro State men's basketball team fell 91-78 at New Mexico Highlands on Friday to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.  The loss dropped the Roadrunners to 3-2 overall this season, while NMHU improved to 4-0.

The Cowboys shot lights out, hitting 10-of-16 from the outside and 60 percent from the floor, while outrebounding the Roadrunners 33-24.  Metro State stayed in the game by committing just four turnovers, one shy of the school record for fewest in a game.  The Roadrunners also buried 9-of-22 from the outside.

The loss marked just the fourth time since Metro State joined the RMAC in 1996-97 that the Roadrunners have opened conference play with a loss.

Reggie Evans (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview H.S.) led the team with 17 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the floor, but just 1-of-6 from the outside.  He also had a team-high three assists.  #A.J. Flournoy# scored 13 points and made 3-of-6 from 3-point range.  Freshman Brandon Jefferson (Flower Mound, Texas/Lewisville H.S.) buried 4-of-7 from the outside for 12 points off the bench.  Jonathan Morse (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) added 11 points and Quaran Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Friends' Central H.S.) had 10.  Morse led the team with six rebounds.

Metro State trailed by five at 37-32 with 3:30 left in the first half, but NMHU closed on an 11-3 run to lead 48-35 at halftime.

After the Cowboys scored first to lead by 15 points early in the second half, Metro State chipped away and cut the lead to five at 74-69 with 6:23 left after a pair of free throws by Glenn Miller (Sacramento, Calif./Foothill H.S.).  Highlands responded to quickly build its lead back to double digits and led by 17 with a minute left, its largest lead of the game.

Thomas Manzano led NMHU with 34 points, hitting 10-of-17 from the floor and 11-of-15 at the line.

Metro State will look to bounce back on Saturday with an 8 p.m. game at Western New Mexico.