Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver men's basketball team (5-2, 1-0 RMAC) defeated South Dakota School of Mines ( 4-3, 0-1 RMAC) 73-54.
 
MSU Denver came out of the gates hot getting out to a quick 7-0 start to the game, and that dictated their play throughout the first half against the Hardrockers. The Roadrunners shot 57.1% from the field (16-28) to South Dakota Mines 30.4% en route to a 37-35 half time lead.
 
Freshman Alec Williams went 6-of-10 from the field for 13 points in 15 minutes. Senior Brian Howard (Maywood, Ill./Saint Ignatius H.S.) and junior Sunday Dech (Perth, Australia/Churchlands H.S.) each went into the locker room with seven points. MSU Denver held the advantage in points in the paint 20-12.
 
In the first six minutes of the second half, the Hardrockers narrowed the Roadrunner lead to 42-36 but that is as close as they would get.  Howard led the Roadrunners in the second half scoring 14 points.
 
Overall the Roadrunner outshot the Hardrockers 51.9 percent to 33.3 percent. Howard was leading scorer with 21 points. He was closely followed by Dech and Williams with 14 points each.
 
The Roadrunners continue their RMAC home opening weekend tomorrow, December 3, against Black Hills State at 7 p.m. at the Auraria Event Center.