DENVER — MSU Denver saw its six-game winning streak come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling 63-61 to Regis University at Regis Fieldhouse in the regular-season finale.
With the loss, the Roadrunners close the regular season at 15-14 overall and 13-7 in the RMAC heading into postseason play.
The contest featured 11 lead changes and five ties, setting up a dramatic finish in a game that wasn't decided until the final seconds.
MSU Denver opened with strong energy, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the first quarter behind early buckets from Jadyn Watts and Keira Mitchell and a pair of 3-pointers from Mikylah Espinosa. The Roadrunners led 15-13 after one and carried a 30-27 advantage into halftime.
Espinosa set the tone offensively throughout the afternoon, finishing with a team-high 21 points on 9-of-22 shooting, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, while adding three steals. Nevaeh Millard provided a steady complement with 16 points and a team-best three assists.
Regis used a strong third quarter to flip the momentum, outscoring MSU Denver 19-12 in the frame to take a 46-42 lead into the fourth. The Roadrunners struggled from distance for much of the day, finishing 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from 3-point range, while Regis connected on 11 triples at a 47.8 percent clip.
Jadyn Watts was active inside, totaling 12 points and seven rebounds along with a block and a steal. Brianna Sealy gave MSU Denver key second-chance opportunities, pulling down a team-high nine rebounds to go with five points, one block and one steal.
Trailing 57-50 midway through the fourth quarter, MSU Denver mounted a spirited comeback. The Roadrunners rattled off nine unanswered points — highlighted by a Millard 3-pointer and strong defensive stops — to surge back in front.
The final minute turned into a back-and-forth exchange. Millard tied the game at 57-57 with 53 seconds left, then gave MSU Denver a 59-57 lead moments later after a steal and finish. After Regis answered with a go-ahead 3-pointer, Millard attacked the rim again to put the Roadrunners back on top, 61-60, with 14 seconds remaining.
Regis responded with another clutch 3-pointer with seven seconds left to reclaim the lead, and MSU Denver's final look from beyond the arc came up short as time expired.
Keira Mitchell anchored the defense with three blocks and three steals while grabbing seven rebounds, helping the Roadrunners force 18 turnovers on the afternoon. MSU Denver held a 32-22 edge in points in the paint and battled to 10 offensive rebounds but was ultimately undone by Regis' perimeter shooting in the closing minutes.
Despite the setback, MSU Denver now turns its attention to postseason play. The Roadrunners will enter the RMAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed and will travel to play No. 3 seed Adams State University on Tuesday in a quarterfinal matchup.
