Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver men's basketball team fell to UCCS on Friday night 94-92.  The Roadrunners move to 18-10 overall and 16-6 in the RMAC while UCCS improves to 17-12 overall and 14-8 in the RMAC.

The Roadrunners were led in scoring by senior Tony Dobbinson (Stamford, Conn./Westhill H.S.) with 30 points.  Juniors Andre Harris (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb H.S.) and Brian Howard (Maywood, Ill./Saint Ignatius H.S.) each added 17 points.  Senior DeShawn Phenix (Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley H.S.) chipped in with 10 points.  Harris led the team in rebounding with six.

In the first half, MSU Denver and UCCS traded baskets in a tight game.  The game was tied on five different occasions in the first ten minutes.  The Roadrunners were able to go on a 12-0 run with 9:47 to go fueled by seven points by Dobbinson.  UCCS would not go away and chipped into the MSU Denver lead drawing within one point with 35 seconds to go and the score at 42-41.  Dobbinson hit a free throw in the final seconds of the first half to give MSU Denver a 43-41 lead at halftime.

The opening five minutes of the second half saw both teams struggle to score.  Sophomore Bounama Keita (Saint-Louis, Senegal/Impact Basketball Academy (Fla.)) made a layup with 14:39 to go to give the Roadrunners a 51-47 lead.  UCCS was able to hang around and tie the game at the 10:00 mark following a three-point basket.  The game would be back-and-forth and ultimately be tied at 4:43 at 71-71 following a Harris free throw.  MSU Denver struggled to score from the field, however, the Roadrunners were able to get to the free throw line to keep the game close in the final minutes.  Phenix connected on a layup from senior Eric Rayer (Colorado Springs/Coronado H.S.) to cut the UCCS lead to 82-79 with 1:29 to play.  Dobbinson knocked down a three-point basket, stole a pass, and made a layup to make the score 90-89 with 25 seconds to go.  Following a pair of free throws, Dobbinson hit another three-point basket to tie the game at 92-92.  The Roadrunners would commit a foul with one second remaining and UCCS converted the free throws to take the two-point lead and victory.

MSU Denver host the first round of the RMAC Tournament on Tuesday, March 1.  Game time is set for 7 p.m.