Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. - No. 6 Florida Southern handed No. 3 Metropolitan State University of Denver its first loss of the season on Saturday, winning 80-75 at the FSC Terrace Hotel Classic in Lakeland, Florida. The Roadrunners dropped to 5-1, while the Mocs improved to 5-0.
 
MSU Denver shot 63 percent in the second half, nearly rallying from a 19-point halftime deficit to get within three points in the final minutes.
 
Mitch McCarron (Brisbane, Australia/Genesis Christian College) had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, making all nine of his free throws. Nicholas Kay (Tamworth, Australia/Newington College) poured in 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while adding five rebounds and three assists. Dalante Dunklin (San Diego, Calif./Francis W. Parker H.S.) shot 6-of-9 to score a season-high 14 points. Jourdon Hunter (Denver, Colo./Kennedy H.S.) buried four 3-pointers off the bench to score 12 points.
 
The Mocs went on a 15-4 run midway through the first half, hitting seven consecutive field goals and led 32-17 with seven minutes left in the half. FSC built its lead up to 49-30 at halftime, hitting six 3-pointers and shooting 61 percent from the floor.
 
The Roadrunners hit nine of their first 11 shots of the second half to get within 10 points at 62-52 just eight minutes into the second. A layup by Kay with 9:50 remaining cut the deficit to single digits at 64-56.
 
The Roadrunners pulled within three points in the final minute, but FSC held on for the win.

Kevin Capers led the Mocs with 27 points, making 15-of-18 free throws.
 
MSU Denver will host Regis University at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Auraria Event Center.