Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver men's basketball team (3-6, 2-1 RMAC) fell 79-59 to Regis (7-1, 2-1 RMAC) on Friday, December 8.
 
Both teams started the game playing aggressive defense. Four minutes into the game the score was tied 3-3. By the second media timeout after six minutes of gameplay, the Rangers had a 9-8 lead.
 
The game continued to be low-scoring, scrappy, and physical. Midway through the first half the Rangers led the Roadrunners 13-11. Each team had five turnovers and ten rebounders with eight minutes to go in the half. MSU Denver, however, put the Rangers in the bonus with seven team fouls.
 
The Rangers gained a little momentum after the third media timeout jumping out to a quick 11-19 lead. The lead was the result of a 6-0 run in such a low scoring affair.
 
Senior Cameron Williams (Omaha, Nebraska/Omaha South H.S.) got a layup to fall to end the run, and junior Jaryn Taylor (Yucaipa, Calif./Yucaipa High School) hit back-to-back shots in the post to make the score 25-17 in favor of the Rangers.
 
MSU Denver and Regis traded baskets for the remainder of the half, but the Roadrunners found themselves down 13 at the end of the half by a score of 34-21.
 
Williams and Taylor led the Roadrunners with eight points each. Senior Bounama Keita (Saint-Louis, Senegal/Impact Basketball Academy (Fla.)) led the team with five rebounds. The Roadrunners shot 36% from the field and 25% from behind the arc. The Rangers shot 58% from the field and also shot 25% from behind the three-point line in the first half.
 
Regis continued to stay hot from the field and started the second half with a 13-5 run fueled by three straight three pointers. At the first media timeout, the Roadrunners were down 49-29, looking for a way to get their offense going.
 
Following a media timeout, MSU Denver seemed to find a groove after three consecutive baskets and two forced turnovers, but couldn't score or stop Regis consistently. The Rangers ran away with the game as the Roadrunners suffered an 85-65 loss. Williams led the Roadrunners in points with 20 while adding three assists. Senior Shane Fox (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty H.S.) led the team in rebounds with seven.
 
The Roadrunners return to the Auraria Events Center Saturday, December 9 for an RMAC matchup with Chadron State College; tip-off is at 7pm.