DENVER – The Colorado Mesa University men's basketball team dominated both ends of the floor in the second half to earn a 72-60 win at MSU Denver Friday (Jan. 8).

The offense for both team's sputtered in the first half with each shooting 33-percent. The two team's would trade the lead in the first half with the Mavs leading by as many as seven points twice before the team's entered the half tied at 28.

The Mavericks dominated in the second half shooting 63-percent (12-19) from the field, 71-percent (5-7) from deep and 75-percent (15-20) from the line.

Mesa also did the job defensively holding Metro to 28-percent (8-28) from the field and 11-percent (1-9) from deep. The Roadrunners would make 15-of-19 free throws (78-percent).

Brandon Hoffer made a fast break lay-up at 16:08 to give Mesa its first lead of the half 36-34.

CMU would lead for the majority of the half, but MSUD tied the game three more times including 45-45 with 9:17 remaining.

The Maverick lead would hover in single digits until CJ Davis made a pair of free throws with 78 seconds remaining to push the CMU lead to 10, 66-56. CMU closed the game with four free throws and a lay-up to win 72-60.

Ryan Stephan led CMU with a game-high 27 points, including 12-of-12 from the line, and 13 rebounds, all-defensive.

Connor Nichols was the only other CMU player in double-figures with 11. Nate Hawley shot a perfect 3-of-3 from deep to finish with nine.

Peter Moller led Metro with 12 points.

The Roadrunners led 41-33 in rebounds, but the Mavericks tallied five steals and a season-high five blocks.

CMU (9-4, 5-3) will play at UCCS Saturday (Jan. 9).