GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team fell one point short of upsetting No. 14 MSU Denver falling 51-50 Friday (Jan. 23).

The Roadrunners outscored the Mavericks 27-20 in the first half, but the Mavericks opened the second half with a 10-3 run to tie the game at 30.

Neither team would lead by more than four points the rest of the night.

Julian Vasquez, who finished with a game-high 22 points, drained a 3-pointer at the 4:05 mark to tie the contest at 48.

Jourdon Hunter gave Metro the lead with his second 3-pointer of the game at 2:33.

Neither team would score on their next offensive possession.

Michael Melillo drained a pair of free throws to pull the Mavericks within one, 51-50.

The CMU defense stood tall on the next MSUD possession fending off both Roadrunner shots.

The Mavericks went on offense with 17 seconds remaining, but the Mavs lost the ball trying to dribble through traffic before getting a shot off.

Ryan Stephan finished with a double-double for the Mavericks with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Sam Porter led Metro with 14 points.

MSUD outrebounded CMU 36-27, including 12-4 on the offensive glass. Metro also finished with a 16-4 edge in second chance points.

The two teams would combine for eight free throw attempts. The Mavs shot 5-of-8 (71-percent) from the line, and the Roadrunners made their only attempt.

CMU shot 41-percent (19-46) from the field and held MSUD to 38-percent (22-58).

Colorado Mesa (13-5, 8-4) will host Regis Saturday (Jan. 24).