LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Garrett Carter matched his MSU Denver career high with 21 points, but the Roadrunners had a rough night overall in an 80-51 loss at New Mexico Highlands on Saturday night.
 
One night after picking up their first road win of the season, MSU Denver couldn't duplicate the feat against a strong Highlands team that improved to 12-4 overall and 7-4 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

But that Friday night victory at CSU-Pueblo gave MSU Denver the weekend split that every team sets as a goal.

"Give all the credit to Highlands," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "They played really well and we didn't. Unfortunately we didn't shoot the ball well, so that creates transition opportunities for the other team and that is not a good recipe for us."
 
MSU Denver (9-8, 5-6) was held to 30.5 percent shooting from the field, including just 15.4 percent (4 of 26) from 3-point range.
 
Carter scored his 21 points while making 8 of 15 from the field. He matched his 21-point performance from Dec. 19, 2018, when he scored 21 in a win over Northwest Nazarene (Idaho).
 
Cain van Heyningen scored a season-high eight points and added seven rebounds for MSU Denver, which is back on the road next weekend for games at Colorado School of Mines and UCCS.

"The one thing that this team has done on a consistent basis is bounce back from adversity," Bahl said. "So I'm excited to get back to work on Monday and get ready to get back out on the road next weekend."