GUNNISON, Colo. – MSU Denver got back on the winning track Friday night with a 77-70 decision at Western Colorado in men's basketball.
 
"I'm proud of the guys for finding way to win on the road," MSU Denver coach Dan Ficke said. "It's never easy to win on the road anywhere, but it's especially difficult up here high in the mountains (at elevation of more than 7,000 feet).
 
Caleb McGill had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Roadrunners (7-11 overall, 4-8 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) who snapped a three-game losing streak.
 
Tyrei Randall added 13 points, five rebounds and a career-high five steals, while Jaden Kennis scored 12 and Brayden Maldonado added 11. Freshman Yaw Reneer matched his career best with eight rebounds.
 
"Guys are really starting to define their roles and define what they need to do for us to be successful," Ficke said.
 
Western Colorado shot an excellent 48.1 percent from the field compared to just 38.5 percent by MSU Denver (25 of 65), but the Roadrunners made the same number of field goals while taking 13 more shots. MSU Denver made 38.1 percent from 3-point range (8 of 21), compared to 31.6 percent for the Mountaineers (6 of 19), and the Roadrunners made 19 of 27 free throws for 70.4 percent.
 
"Our defensive energy and effort improved in the second half," Ficke said. "We were playing OK in the first half, but we weren't guarding."
 
MSU Denver had a 15-8 advantage in offensive rebounds and forced 20 turnovers while committing just nine. MSU Denver had 28 second-chance points.
 
The Roadrunners made just enough free throws in the final two minutes – 9 of 14 officially – to seal the win.
 
MSU Denver improved to 2-7 on the road this season.
 
The Roadrunners return home Jan. 27 and 28 for Alumni Weekend. The Roadrunners' 2013 Division II national runner-up team will be celebrated in Friday's 7 p.m. game against Adams State, while the 2002 national champions will be recognized in Saturday's 6 p.m. game at Fort Lewis.