Lopers Fall to Former RMAC Rival, 88-74

Three players scored in double figures and Metro State started the second half on a big run to defeat Nebraska Kearney, 88-74, Saturday evening in Denver.

The Roadrunners (4-8) and Lopers (6-6) used to be rivals in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with "MSU "Denver" now holding a 29-27 series lead.

A fast-paced first half saw each team lead by at least points with things really changing at the 3:15 mark. Senior point guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Dallas) was called for a flagrant two foul while trying to stop a fast break layup by redshirt freshman guard Amare Bethel. He was ejected from the game with Bethel issued a Class A technical. After all the free throws were taken, the 'Runners opened a 39-34 lead.

"I'm just proud of our guys. With Ja'Bryant going out, Kendrick Gilbert got rocked in the jaw pretty good early and had to gather himself and jump back into the game. Things didn't go our way, but we didn't lay down," said Marty Levinson on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "We did turn it over way too much (21) and didn't shoot great."

It was just a three-point deficit at the break, but Metro started the second half on an 18-3 run. The five-minute stretch featured three triples and a three-point play from junior guard Logan Threatt. Meanwhile, UNK missed seven of its first eight shots and committed an offensive foul.

The 'Runners eventually led 68-46, but the Lopers didn't fold, getting within seven by the four-minute mark. A three from Denver senior Tom Connelly capped a solid thee-minute stretch and then the Lopers to a steal from Texas junior post Taylor Harrell. However, Metro scored the game's next six points to finally salt things away.

Junior wing Garrett Falls scored a team-high 19 points for Metro thanks to 7 of 11 (3 of 5 threes) shooting with fellow reserve and senior Quave Propst-Allison at 16 points (2 of 4 threes) and three assists. Another bench player, 6-7 forward Caden Holmes, got close to a double double (eight points and eight rebounds) with Threatt the top Metro starter with 17 points and six assists. Metro finished plus seven on the glass and got 50 bench points.

UNK got a team-best 24 points from Las Vegas redshirt junior Anthony Swift. His third 20-point game of the year, he made eight free throws and seven shots. Next, Texas senior guards Wade Williams (17) and Connelly (15) combined for 32 points on 8 for 13 triple shooting. Finally, Connelly was one of three Lopers to grab six rebounds.

"Anthony is so talented with his shooting ability and his size. His Mom is out here, and he wanted to make her proud, so we knew we were going to get a good Ant today," said Levinson. "JB was trying to get a block and was reaching across (Bethel's) body. Ends up catching him in the head. He is big part of what we do, but we had others step up today playing different roles." 

The Blue & Gold are off until a three-game homestand starts Jan. 1 vs. Missouri Western.