GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – MSU Denver went through a 4:19 scoring drought to end the game and Colorado Mesa rallied to score the final five points to post a 60-58 victory Friday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball.
 
"We played extremely hard, and I couldn't be more proud of our effort," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "To guard the way we guarded was really nice to see. Unfortunately, we are struggling to put the ball in the hole.
 
"I have to do a better job as a coach of putting our players in better positions offensively to be successful. This loss is 100 percent on me and I need to be better for our players."
 
Demetrius Jackson's dunk gave the Roadrunners (5-4 overall, 1-2 RMAC) a 58-55 advantage.
 
Colorado Mesa (6-3, 3-1) moved ahead 59-58 on a Michael Skinner steal and layup with 12 seconds left.
 
Garrett Carter pushed it up the floor for the Roadrunners, but misfired on a 3-pointer with five seconds left. MSU Denver fouled and Tommy Nuno made one free throw for the final margin.
 
Jackson's long 3-point attempt at the buzzer came up short.
 
Carter led MSU Denver with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Mitch Lombard added 10 points, five assists and three steals, and Druce Asah scored 10.
 
Colorado Mesa outscored the Roadrunners 18-7 at the free-throw line, sinking 72 percent of its 25 free throws while MSU Denver missed two.
 
MSU Denver completes its weekend road trip Saturday with a 7 p.m. game at Western Colorado (4-5, 1-2).