DENVER – The defense couldn't have been much better.
 
But MSU Denver's offensive execution wasn't always on point Friday night in a physical 66-65 loss to Regis in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball opener.
 
"Our defense we unbelievable," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "But when you miss (12) free throws and turn it over 21 times, you won't beat a high school JV team.
 
"But I'm proud of the guys. They played extremely hard and I don't want our ability to compete to get lost in this. I think we can be one of the best defensive teams in the country. We have a long ways to go, and the season isn't over."
 
MSU Denver (4-3), picked to finish fifth in the RMAC, slugged its way to a 40-33 lead with 14:11 left, but Regis (6-1), picked third, chipped away and built a 62-57 advantage with 3:32 to go.
 
And yet the Roadrunners scored the next eight points – with the last six by Garrett Carter – to take a 65-62 lead with 56 seconds left. But Regis' Brian Dawson made four free throws and MSU Denver was unable to knock down two 3-point chances and suffered the one-point defeat.
 
"We got the stops and did what we wanted to do defensively," Carter said. "Unfortunately, offensively, we didn't convert as much as we wanted."
 
Carter scored a season-high 18 points for the Roadrunners, who shot just 38.9 percent from the field, 22.2 percent (4 of 18) from 3, and 61.3 percent (19 of 31) from the free-throw line.
 
Regis made only 36.4 percent from the field and 19 percent (4 of 21) from 3 while making 66.7 percent (14 of 21) of its free throws.
 
MSU Denver had 21 turnovers, while forcing the Rangers to have 18.
 
"We had a lot of turnovers," Carter said. "We put ourselves in that situation. If we make free throws and cut down on our turnovers, we come out with a 'W.'"
 
Druce Asah added 13 points for MSU Denver.
 
Meanwhile, forwards Kendall McIntosh (seven points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two steals), Elijah Straughter (eight points, nine rebounds, one block) and Maris Colton (eight points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two steals) turned in strong all-around efforts.
 
Regis had been averaging 79.7 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and had been outrebounding opponents by 7.0 per game, but the Rangers struggled to shoot and score Friday and were beaten 47-37 on the boards.
 
"We dominated the glass and for the most part we got the shots we wanted," Bahl said. "I believe in our guys, and those shots are going to fall tomorrow night."
 
MSU Denver plays host to Colorado Christian (0-7, 0-1) in a 7 p.m. game Saturday at the Auraria Event Center.
 
"You've got to have a short memory," Bahl said. "We can't dwell on this one. Tomorrow is the most important game of our season so far. We'll get prepared in tomorrow, and we need to make sure we have a clear mind and clear focus."
 
Said Carter: "We can't wait until tomorrow. We're ready to come out and get after it."