Box Score
DENVER - Brandon Jefferson (Flower Mound, Texas/Lewisville H.S.) was a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor, including 4-of-4 from the outside, but it was not enough as New Mexico Highlands spoiled Metro State's Homecoming with a 74-67 win. Metro State fell to 19-6 overall and 16-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while NMHU improved to 19-6 and 15-6.
Jefferson scored a game-high 20 points and added three assists and two steals.
Reggie Evans (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview H.S.) recorded his second consecutive double-double and the second of his career with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, but hit just 7-of-16 from the floor.
Jonathan Morse (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) and
Shakir Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey H.S.) each provided nine points and #A.J. Flournoy# had eight. Flournoy also had five assists.
Metro State was plagued by a slow start, falling behind 21-11 with 9:12 left in the first half. A late first-half run cut the lead to 37-33 at halftime after a 3-pointer and a jumper by Jefferson closed out the half.
The Roadrunners took their first lead of the game at 39-37 on another jumper by Jefferson. They built a 6-point lead at 49-43 on a layup by
Glenn Miller (Sacramento, Calif./Foothill H.S.).
Metro State gave its lead up as the Cowboys caught fire from the outside, burying three 3-pointers over a span of two-and-a-half minutes, taking a 56-53 lead. Highlands led the rest of the game.
The Roadrunners had plenty of opportunities in the final minute. Jefferson hit a jumper with 52 seconds left to cut the lead to 70-67. After two missed free throws by the Cowboys, Metro State turned the ball over. However, the Roadrunners forced another turnover but again came up empty offensively, missing a pair of 3-point shots on their next possession and after another offensive rebound, missed a layup before turning the ball over on an inbounds play.
Two free throws and a last-second dunk sealed the win for the Cowboys.
Metro State will play at Regis next Saturday for its final regular season game of the season.
