DENVER – It was déjà vu all over again for the MSU Denver men's basketball team in its Friday night game against Chadron State.
 
Just like on Dec. 31 in Chadron, Neb., the Roadrunners dug themselves a huge hole. Just like Dec. 31, they came storming back in the second half. Unfortunately, just like Dec. 31, they came up just short, this time closing within three points in the final minutes before falling 86-76.
 
"One thing I love about our guys is that they don't quit," MSU Denver coach Dan Ficke said. "They keep fighting. They kept clawing. Chadron is good, they don't beat themselves, and it's hard when you spot a good team 16 points in the first half to come back and win. It takes so much effort, especially this late in the year."
 
Chadron State (17-8 overall, 14-5 for fifth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) shot an other-worldly 72.4 percent (21 of 29) from the field in the first half, holding a 50-39 lead at the break after being up 46-30 with 2:34 left in the opening 20 minutes.
 
"We had to limit their ability to get to the paint, because they were just shooting at will, getting whatever they wanted," forward Caleb McGill said. "We didn't feel like what they were doing was anything special – it was on us. We tried to be accountable in the locker room and I think we did a little better job in the second half – I would hope. Because 72 percent is outrageous."
 
Said Ficke: "I didn't think we played any defense in the first half. Our theme for the week was that if we're going to get to the postseason, we have to defend. We didn't do that very well in the first half, but to our credit we made it a lot tougher for them in the second half.
 
"The toughest part about that is that if you give a team confidence early, then some of the stuff that they got in the first half comes back to get you at the end."
 
Chadron State did get a couple of key late baskets from unexpected places to earn an eighth straight win.
 
Still, in the wild, wild, world of the RMAC standings, MSU Denver – despite falling to 7-12 in league play – is still just one game behind three teams tied for seventh at 8-11 (and a half game behind another at 8-12) with three games left in the regular season.
 
The top eight teams qualify for the RMAC Tournament.
 
"You can't lose hope, because you never know what can happen," McGill said. "The standings are really wild right now. You take it one game at a time. We would've liked to have gotten this one, but I think we can still win out and control our fate."
 
More big nights from McGill like his career high 24 on Friday would increase the Roadrunners' chances. The 6-foot-8 sophomore was 11 of 15 from the field (including 11 of 12 inside the 3-point arc).
 
"He's got it in him," Ficke said. "And when that light switch flicks on, it's incredible to watch and I think he's the best big in this league. He's learning how to do it day in and day out, and once he does everybody better watch out, because we're going to be a team to be reckoned with."
 
Said McGill: "I was just kind of taking what the defense was giving me. I've been playing more confidently and more aggressively, and I think that's starting to show. My teammates were finding me in the post, and our point guards gave me some good lobs – easy points (on alley-oop dunks)."
 
Chandler Bevans, a 6-7 forward, added his MSU Denver career high of 12 points while making all four of his field goal attempts.
 
"Caleb and Chandler were everything for us tonight," Ficke said.
 
While at least slowing Chadron State down to 52.2 percent shooting and forcing nine turnovers in the second half, MSU Denver got within 79-76 on a pair of Tyrei Randall free throws with an even 3 minutes left. But the Roadrunners could get no closer.
 
Now MSU Denver is set for its final home game of the season, Saturday's 6 p.m. Senior Night game against Colorado Christian. It's the last home games for Randall and Bevans.
 
"We've got to finish," Ficke said. "We've got to handle business tomorrow and not let ourselves have a hangover from tonight. It's a tough loss and it's pretty dull in the locker room because we know we let this one get away from us.
 
"We've got to finish out at home, not just for our record but for our seniors."
 
Said McGill: "I'm looking forward to it, but I'm going to be a little sad. We're going to miss those dudes. We just want to go out and get a win for them and not leave them with a sour taste in their mouths. We want to compete for them because it's the last time they'll play in this gym, the last time they'll be able to play in front of their people. It's a special moment."