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Revenge was on the mind of the Mavericks when No. 3 Metro State came into town Saturday night after Metro beat them in Denver earlier in the season. With the Mavs looking to keep the momentum going from last night's big win over Regis and the Roadrunners trying to bounce back from a shocking loss at Western State last night, it was a hard fought battle in from of the Maverick faithful. A strong second half for the Mavs gave them the upset win, 64-47.

“We are just trying to make a statement,” Nate Nelson said. “We aren't one of those teams that have streaky wins or get lucky wins. We all just want to make a statement.”

The teams exchanged baskets to start the game, but a 9-0 run by the Mavericks put them up 13-6 midway through the first half. Metro's full-court press was too much, as they were able to steal the ball twice before the Mavs could get to half court and lay it up both times to keep themselves in the game. The Mavs shot 90 percent from the free throw line and held the Roadrunners to just 38 percent shooting in the half. At the half, CMU and Metro State was tied at 24 apiece.

Mike Melillo led the Mavs with seven points as the Burgon brothers (Colton Burgon, Chandler Burgon) were able to put in six points each. Colton also grabbed four rebounds as the Mavs outrebounded Metro 17-13.

The back and forth action continued into the second half the two squads were tied at 32 apiece in the first seven minutes in. The Mavericks then jumped out to a 40-32 lead after an 8-0 run. The Mavs took advantage of the post play, getting Metro in foul trouble and getting to shoot free throws very often with ten minutes to go in regulation.

The Maverick's 44-34 lead may have been the breaking point as they were able to maintain good play from that point on. Mavs' stellar defense and free throw shooting gave them the upset win over Metro, 64-47.

“It's 1/22 of the conference schedule,” coach Jim Heaps said. “This game counts no more or no less in the standings than the Regis game last night or the Regis game at their place.”

One of the biggest keys for the Mavs was being able to control Metro's Player of the Year candidate Reggie Evans. Evans led all scorers with 10 first half points, but struggled to produce in the second half, only scoring 10 points, but most of those came after the Mavs had built their big lead. He did lead the Roadrunners with six rebounds.

“I'm use to guarding Evans,” Nate Nelson said. “We use to play use to play together at AAU. I anticipated what he was going to do and I knew he was going to come with the crossover.”

Colton led all scorers with 17 points as he also pulled down four rebounds. Melillo finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Nelson filled the stat line with four points, two rebounds, two assists, a steal, and defended Evans very well.

The win brings the Mavs to an 11-8 overall record and 9-6 in conference. It also brings them momentum going into the final seven games of the season, with just three of those at home.

“It starts with practice and we have to make sure we have great week of practice,” Burgon said. “We have to go to Nebraska and expect to win and continue to play great defense.”