RAPID CITY, S.D. – MSU Denver built a big first-half lead, shot 53.3 percent from the field for the night, and cruised to an 86-73 victory Thursday at South Dakota Mines for the Roadrunners' third straight victory.
 
The Roadrunners shot even better from 3-point range, sinking 13 of 23 for 56.5 percent.
 
"It was great seeing all the extra work the guys are putting in pay off tonight in regards to shooting the basketball," MSU Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "The thing I like most is that 90 percent of our 3s tonight came from inside out (a pass went into the lane before a return pass went outside), and that's what we've been preaching all season."
 
Tyrei Randall led five Roadrunners in double figures with 16 points, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Miles Gibson added 15 points, Maris Colton scored a season-high 14 while connecting on all four of his 3-point tries, Jake Chrisman scored a career-high 10 and Ra'Shawn Langston also added 10. Laolu Oke had nine points while going 4 for 4 from the field and added 11 rebounds.
 
"Maris Colton has really been playing well as of late, and I'm very proud of the toughness and leadership he provides our team," Bahl said.
 
MSU Denver gradually pulled away in the first half, building a 44-28 lead before settling for a 46-31 lead at the break. The Roadrunners shot 54.8 percent from the field in the first half, including 69.2 percent (9 of 13) from 3.
 
MSU Denver led by as many as 22 points in the second half while keeping the lead at 12 points or more for the final 20 minutes.
 
MSU Denver is now 16-7 overall and is 10-7 for seventh place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
 
"We are starting to play better, but we understand that we are not a finished product, and still have areas where we need to make improvement," Bahl said. "We need to stay hungry and humble at this time of year and get ready for a big push we have next weekend."