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DENVER - Jonathan Morse (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) recorded his second straight double-double and eighth of his career as No. 10 Metro State coasted to a 56-45 win over South Dakota Mines in non-conference action on Friday night at home. The Roadrunners improved to 3-0 this season, while the Hardrockers fell to 2-1.
Morse was 6-of-8 from the floor and had 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead all players in both categories.
Brandon Jefferson (Flower Mound, Texas/Lewisville H.S.) added 11 points, as did reserve
Nicholas Kay (Tamworth, Australia/Newington College). Jefferson also had four assists, four steals and three rebounds. Kay was 4-for-5 from the floor and had four rebounds and four steals.
Demetrius Miller (Flint, Mich./Flint Central H.S.) shot just 1-of-9 from the floor, but had four assists and four boards. He also hit 4-of-4 at the line in the final five minutes of the game.
Metro State shot just 38.8 percent, including 2-of-14 (.143) from the outside. The Roadrunners hit only 16-of-31 (.516) free throw attempts, keeping SDSMT in the game throughout the night.
On the glass, Metro State outrebounded the Hardrockers 43-34 and forced 23 turnovers on defense.
The Roadrunners played excellent defense in the first half, holding the Hardrockers to 26.1 percent shooting and taking a 27-17 lead into halftime.
SDSMT cut the lead to four points at 45-41 with 3:37 left in the game after a 6-0 run.
Tyler Cooper (Huntington Beach, Calif./Christian Heritage H.S.) hit his first jump shot of the season, burying it from the right corner to push the lead back to 47-41 with 3:02 left.
Metro State forced turnvovers on its next two possessions and Kay made a reverse layup after a drive-and-dish by Jefferson for a 49-41 lead with two minutes to play.
The Roadrunners then got their chance to put the game away at the line, hitting 6-of-8 over the next 1:10, including Miller making all four attempts, as Metro State pushed the lead to 12 with 55.6 seconds left at 55-43.
Michael Dietz led Mines with 14 points and nine rebounds.