Despite the Mavericks finishing with all five starters in double figures, Colorado Mesa University was unable to end their losing streak on Saturday night. In the first regular season game back from the holiday break, Metro State University (MSU) was able to come into Brownson Arena and take down CMU 81-78.
 
In the first half, it was all Mavericks from the opening tip. CMU was able to build up an 18-point lead (36-18) with just over four minutes to go in the half. The Roadrunners were able to claw their way back to within eight as the halftime buzzer sounded. The Mavericks went into halftime with a 43-35 lead.
 
However, the second half was not as kind as the first to CMU. Despite being up 12 with 12 minutes to go, MSU would go on a 15-2 run to take a 60-59 lead. Both teams then traded baskets for the next six minutes to tie the game up at 69 with three minutes to go. The Roadrunners would then never trail for the remainder of the game, as the team was able to jump out in front of the Mavericks to steal the road victory.
 
The bench play in the game was a huge advantage for the visiting Roadrunners. They outscored the Mavericks in that area 36-3, thanks in large part to Malik Hart who scored 25 points off the bench for MSU.
 
Despite CMU shooting 52 percent from the field, it was the three-point battle that also proved problematic for the Mavericks in this one. While CMU finished the game with seven made threes, MSU was able to knock down 13 from behind the arc. That is good enough for an 18-point differential.
 
The Mavericks were led by Brandon Hoffer offensively, as he scored his largest output of the season with 17 points on 7-9 shooting from the field. He also added eight assists to his name. He was followed by Connor Nichols with 16, and CJ Davis and Damon Dubots with 15.
 
With the loss, the Mavericks move to 6-7 overall on the year and 2-5 in the RMAC. Next up for CMU is two road games against Chadron State and Regis University next weekend. CMU will look to end their three-game losing skid first on Friday, with tip off set for 7:30 p.m. down in Chadron, Neb.