Box Score Video Highlights

DENVER – Metro State had a +27 rebounding advantage as the third-ranked Roadrunners topped New Mexico Highlands 86-48 on Friday evening at the Auraria Event Center. The Roadrunners improved to 5-0 and 1-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while NMHU dropped to 3-1 and 0-1.

The Cowgirls entered the game averaging 102.3 points in their first three games, but an aggressive Metro State defense held them to just 24.6 percent shooting.

Ten different players scored for the Roadrunners, including four in double figures led by Brandi Valencia (Moriarty, N.M./Moriarty H.S.) with 14, Desiree Collins (San Jose, Calif./Santa Terese H.S.) with 12 and Caley Dow (Centennial, Colo./Arapahoe H.S.) and Alyssa Benson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka H.S.) with 10 each. Valencia connected on all six field goal attempts and both free throw attempts for a perfect night offensively. Collins, who had scored just six points all season, played eight minutes and was 5-for-5 from the floor.

Dow led the team with nine rebounds as six players had five or more. Amy Nelson (Richmond, Utah/Sky View H.S.) added eight boards to go with her eight points, Kristin Valencia (Moriarty, N.M./Moriarty H.S.), Jasmine Cervantes (Johnstown, Colo./Berthoud H.S.) and Jenessa Burke (Aurora, Colo./Highlands Ranch H.S.) each had seven, and Candice Kohn (Midland, Texas/Midland Christian H.S.) pulled down five.

Emily Wood (Louisville, Colo./Monarch H.S.) led the team with six assists.

The Roadrunners' 54-27 (+27) rebounding margin was the first time they have had a +20 rebounding margin since 2006 when they outrebounded Colorado Mesa 42-to-19 (+23) on Jan. 20.

Metro State shot 58.6 percent in the first half and led 42-23 at the break. The Roadrunners built their lead up to 40 points in the second half.

Metro State will host Western New Mexico on Saturday at 5 p.m.