DENVER - No. 3 Metropolitan State University of Denver defeated Rodgers State University 73-68 on Friday at the Auraria Event Center. The Roadrunners improve to 1-0 on the season, while the Hillcats fall to 0-1.

Senior Nicholas Kay (Tamworth, Australia/Newington College) scored a career-high 28 points. He was 12-of-16 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Senior Mitch McCarron (Brisbane, Australia/Genesis Christian College) scored 15 points and also had six rebounds to go along with five assists.  Junior Jourdon Hunter (Denver, Colo./Kennedy H.S.) was the only other Roadrunner in double-figures with 13 points.

MSU Denver shot 49 percent for the game and outrebounded Rodgers State 73-68.  Rogers State shot 47.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range.
The Roadrunners behind Kay's 19 first half points built a 43-32 half time lead shooting 55.2 percent in the first period.

RSU overcame the deficit and took the lead 52-50 with 11 minutes to go in the second half.  Two quick buckets from McCarron and Senior Sam Porter (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West H.S.) put the Roadrunners back on top 54-52.  MSU Denver would not trail again.

The Roadrunners will play host to University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Auraria Event Center.