GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – MSU Denver defeated the Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team 76-69 Saturday (Dec. 12) thanks to 41 points from its bench.
CMU's bench contributed 20 points as the Mavericks fall to 4-5 overall and 0-3 in league play this season.
Neither team could establish separation early with either team leading by more than five points in a half that saw the lead change six times. Metro would hold a slim 30-27 lead at halftime.
The Mavericks looked poised to make a run after
Trevor Van Tassel made a pair of free throws with 14:31 remaining in the second to tie the game at 37.
Metro jumped out to a five point lead after making both free throws following a technical foul on Mesa, and a 3-pointer from Enrique Cortes Zotes.
The Roadrunners lead quickly grew to double-digits and would grow to a game-high 13 points with 3:35 remaining.
CMU would be forced to foul but MSUD made 14-of-18 free throws late to earn the win.
DeShawn Phenix led Metro with a game-high 16 points.
Eimer Lopez recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds for CMU.
Ryan Stephan finished with 12 points, including 10 from the line, and
Brandon Hoffer added 10.
The Roadrunners found success from behind the arc shooting 10-20 while the Mavericks struggled shooting 2-14.
Colorado Mesa will play at Colorado Mines Dec. 18.Â
