Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Metro State rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to tie the game late, but New Mexico Highlands prevailed at home with a 72-70 win in Las Vegas, N.M., on Friday night. The loss dropped the Roadrunners to 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while NMHU improved to 5-5 and 2-5.

It was Metro State's first loss to the Cowgirls since 2000, snapping a 15-game winning streak in the series.

Kya DeGarmo (Albuquerque, N.M./Eldorado H.S.) and Cassie Lambrecht (Colorado Springs/Golden H.S.) each scored 15 points to lead the Roadrunners, who shot a season-best 46.7 percent in the game. Amy Nelson (Richmond, Utah/Sky View H.S.) added 13. Those three players combined to hit 18-of-20 free throws, but the rest of the team made just 6-of-15 at the line. Deni Jacobs (Plains, Kan./Southwestern Heights H.S.) provided nine points and Fawn Brady (Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction H.S.) scored seven.

In addition to the poor free throw shooting by the team, the Cowgirls outrebounded Metro State 37-to-25.

The Roadrunners led 35-34 at halftime, but NMHU used a 14-2 run to lead 48-39 with 16 minutes left in the game. The Cowgirls stretched their lead to 10 points with 11:52 left, but MSU Denver rallied, tying the game 68-68 with 2:49 left on a 3-pointer by DeGarmo.

China Smith put NMHU in front with 1:27 left, but DeGarmo answered with a layup for a 70-70 tie with 58 seconds to go. After Smith missed a pair of free throws, she grabbed the rebound of her second miss and Jenny Johnson scored the game-winning layup with six seconds remaining. Lambrecht's buzzer-beater missed to give the Cowgirls the win.

Alyssa Lopez scored a game-high 17 points off the bench for Highlands. Smith had eight points and 13 rebounds.

Metro State will look to recover on Saturday at Western New Mexico.