DENVER – Chadron State had its postseason fate in its hands. All the Eagles had to do was win.
And Metropolitan State University of Denver's chances of playing beyond Friday had been extinguished, unless some unforeseen mathematical equation emerged in tiebreaking procedures that had already been pored over all week.
Yet you wouldn't have known that was the case as the Roadrunners played with their usual passion and punctuated their season with a strong 79-66 victory Friday night.
"You couldn't tell," MSU Denver coach
Michael Bahl said of the fact that his team had no postseason bid for which to shoot. "You can't take basketball for granted. There's always something to play for."
And play they did.
Seniors
Jaryn Taylor (Yucaipa, Calif./Yucaipa) and Enrique Cortes Zotes returned to the starting lineup for their final games as Roadrunners and played starring roles on Senior Night. Cortes Zotes helped MSU Denver establish the early momentum, and Taylor had his best statistical game of the season with 18 points, eight rebounds and a career-high five blocks.
"We relied heavily on our seniors," Bahl said. "They played more minutes than they have all year, and we needed them. Those weren't gimme minutes. We were a better team when they were on the floor tonight, and that's what seniors do. I couldn't be happier that we were able to get them a win in their last game."
By winning Friday night, Adams State was able to claim the eighth and final spot for the RMAC tournament with an 11-11 record in league play. Chadron State (12-16 overall) and MSU Denver (12-14) finished tied for ninth at 10-12.
Had Adams State lost and fallen into a three-way tie with MSU Denver and Chadron State, the RMAC's complicated tiebreaking procedure appeared to favor Chadron State. Had South Dakota Mines been able to upset Black Hills State to pull into a four-way tie at 10-12, then South Dakota Mines appeared to hold the tiebreaker advantage.
Had Chadron State been able to win, it held the tiebreaker over Adams State because of a head-to-head win.
The Roadrunners would have none of it.
"Coach had said we needed to go 5-0 (in the last five games), and we went 4-1," Taylor said. "Still, that was pretty good. Unfortunately it wasn't quite enough."
Said Cortes Zotes: "We played as hard as we could, and you could see it from the first minute.
We were hustling for every ball. I couldn't be more proud of my guys. They'll always be my brothers."
Druce Asah (Tracy, Calif./Tracy) scored 16 points and
Garrett Carter (Rialto, Calif./Etiwanda) added 15 while making all six of his field goal attempts.
Kendall McIntosh (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) added 13 points, while
Marcus Jefferson (Lewisville, Texas/Lewisville) had another solid all-around game with eight points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Those four, as well as the rest of a talented cast, returns next year as the Roadrunners attempt to get back into RMAC contention. MSU Denver still has the best winning percentage in the history of Division II basketball.
"The first thing we need is a break," Bahl said. "It's been a long season. We need to regroup. But expectations are high. They always are.
"We were playing our best basketball at the end of the season, winning four of our last five. Our guys are hungry to keep it going. It's one of those things where I'm not ready for the season to end. It feels like we're just starting to get into our groove. The guys in the locker room feel the same way."
But Taylor and Cortes Zotes will be missed. Both overcame offseason back surgery to be contributors as seniors.
"Not only is Jaryn a really good basketball player, he's a better human being," Bahl said. I can't say enough about him, how much he means to me. One of the toughest guys I've ever seen play.
"And Enrique is one of those guys you never have to worry about, in the classroom, off the floor and on the floor. You knew what he was going to give you, energy and effort. That's what we want from all of our guys."
