Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team drops home conference game to Metropolitan State University Denver by a score of 79-61 on Saturday afternoon.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: MSU Denver Def. Western Colorado University 79-61
Records: Western Colorado overall 6-15 (RMAC 4-10) | MSU Denver overall 16-6 (RMAC 10-4).
Location: Gunnison, Colo. / Paul Wright Gym

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior Amar Rivers traded baskets with the Roadrunners to begin the game 2-2. A three from senior Trey Anderson and a slam dunk from junior Andrew Reichart allowed WCU to gain a 7-2 advantage. MSU got within one after back-to-back scores 7-6.
• WCU had a few turnovers that MSU capitalized on, resulting in a lead change 13-7. Rivers ended their run with a floater 13-9 but a knock down three on the other end, gave the Roadrunners a six-point lead.
• Freshman Dawlton Grant hit two free throws and senior Spencer Wright hit a couple of shots, all the while MSU sank a couple threes. With under ten minutes to play the Roadrunners picked up a 27-18 edge.
• The match got chippy, both teams battling for the ball. With five-minutes left in the first half, Metro pulled away by fourteen points 34-20. Sophomore Tyler Halligan and Anderson but the Roadrunner's shooting percentage was undeniable, cushioning their lead 42-24.
• Halligan and senior Kade Juelfs hit two consecutive threes, closing the gap 42-30. Juelfs got fouled at the last second, but WCU was trailing 50-32 going into half.  
• The Roadrunners came out hot, hitting two quick shots 54-33. Juelfs and Anderson responded 56-42. MSU missed a shot from behind the arch, but Rivers did not 56-45.
• The following minutes, Metro knocked down shot after shot going up by twenty-two 71-49. Still, Halligan and Anderson continued to score for the Mountaineers putting the game at 77-59.
• The score remained the same for four-minutes until MSU finished around the rim 79-59. The time ran out, the Roadrunners on top 79-61.

 COURT NOTES 

• Halligan, Anderson and Julefs finished in double figures. Halligan with 12, Anderson and Juelfs with 11. Rivers and Wright added 7 each, followed by Still with 4 and Grant with 3.
• Hollins led with 3 assists. Juelfs and Buckmon each had 2 steals.
• Veasley paced the Mountaineers with 7 boards. Next was Reichart with 6.
• The Mountaineers shot 34.9% from the field, 30% from three and 73.3% from the charity stripe.

THEY SAID IT 


UP NEXT
Mountaineer men's basketball travel to RMAC opponent Adams State University on Thursday Feb. 13 for a 7:30pm tipoff.

For more information visit gomountaineers.com