Gunnison, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver men's basketball team defeated Western State on Friday night 87-80.  The Roadrunners advance to 14-8 overall and 12-4 in the RMAC while Western State falls to 4-18 overall and 3-13 in the RMAC.

The Roadrunners were led in scoring by junior Andre Harris (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb H.S.).  Harris scored 21 points and led the team with eight rebounds.  Senior Tony Dobbinson (Stamford, Conn./Westhill H.S.) added 18 points.  Junior Brian Howard (Maywood, Ill./Saint Ignatius H.S.) and sophomore Peter Moller each chipped in with 15 points each.  Junior Andre Harris (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb H.S.) added 18 points

MSU Denver would lead 11-9 with just over 14 minutes to play in the first half following a Dobbinson layup.  Western State would go on an 8-1 run and MSU Denver would trail by five at the 12:10 mark.  The Roadrunners would answer with a 12-2 run of their own capped by a Harris layup.  Once again, Western State would respond and eventually take a one-point lead with 2:56 to go, 35-34.  MSU Denver's defense would hold the Mountaineers to a single free throw over the remainder of the half.  The Roadrunners held a 42-36 lead at the half.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with MSU Denver slowly building on its lead.  The Roadrunners used a 6-0 run midway through the half following a jumper by Moller with 12:11 to go in the game.  MSU Denver would grow its lead to 11 with 7:15 to go after another Moller basket.  Western State would trim the lead to two on two occasions late in the game.  The Roadrunners would knock down 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute of the game to cement the win.  Western State would use the three-point basket to keep in the game.  The Mountaineers shot 13-of-25 from behind the arc for 52.0 percent.

MSU Denver will travel to face CSU-Pueblo on Saturday, February 6 in Pueblo, Colo.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast live on CET Sports on Comcast.