New season, new challenge
Roadrunner men off to 3-2 start in first two weeks
By Matt Gunn
gunnma@mscd.edu
The Roadrunner men's basketball team opened the season 3-2, enduring the early season challenge of building a new team.
The 'Runners started at 2-0 with an 84-74 win over St. Gregory's University, followed by a 65-64 nail-biter over Westmont College in the Comfort Inn Downtown Denver Classic.
Metro's defense made the difference in both games.
"We like to pressure the ball, and that's how we've played since I've been here," head coach Mike Dunlap said. "As this new group gets used to playing at that extreme level, then we'll get better."
Photo by Matthew Jonas jonasm@mscd.edu
Metro guard Greg Muth battles through St. Gregory's heavy defense to make the basket at the Auraria Event Center on Nov. 18. Muth had 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Metro defeated St. Gregory's 84-74 in the Comfort Inn Downtown Denver Classic.
Seniors Greg Muth and Drew Williamson led the attack with 18 points and five rebounds each in the home opener.
The first half against St. Gregory's featured six lead changes as each team came out of an off-season slumber.
The score was knotted at 40 points at the half.
The second half saw more lead changes, and the game wasn't decided until late.
A pair of free throws from junior forward Wilson Price solidified the 'Runners' lead for good with 3:28 remaining in the game.
In game two, the Roadrunners hosted a determined Westmont College team. Metro shot 47 percent from the field, and Williamson led all scorers with 27 points.
For his effort, Williamson was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Week.
Westmont outscored the 'Runners 40-35 in the second half and led through much of the final seven minutes of play.
Sophomore Hayden Smith scored on a layup with 33 seconds remaining.
Smith's contribution was enough for Metro to secure its second win in the two-game homestand.
The two victories were a step in the right direction for a basketball team still seeking its identity.
"We're just trying to mesh a bunch of guys, and before our trademarks come out, there's a lot of teaching that goes on," Dunlap said. "There's a lot of looking at who played well, when and where, and you try to find your constants."
Metro's busy Thanksgiving break included a trip across the Pacific for the Hawaii Hilo Classic. The Roadrunners went 1-2 in what turned out to be a defensive test for the team. On Friday, Nov. 26, the 'Runners' late-game luck wore off, as they were defeated in the final seconds by Holy Family University. In game two, Metro suffered a 70-58 loss at the hands of a Hawaii Hilo University that went 26 for 28 from the free throw line.
The Roadrunners left Hawaii with a 67-63 win over Western New Mexico University on Sunday, Nov. 27. Williamson and senior guard Dustin Ballard led the 'Runners offensively with 22 and 12 points respectively.
"Because we have so many new guys, I think the attitude or approach that you take is just teaching, and then learning from whatever the outcome gives us," Dunlap said. "It was nice to win the last game and get incrementally better."
Metro's season heats up during the school's Winter break. The Roadrunners play 10 games between the end of the Fall semester and the beginning of next semester.
"This team has got a long way to go," Dunlap said. "I'll say that we'll not play our best basketball until February. What happens now is that we get ready for our first two league games-Adams State on the road and also Fort Lewis are both difficult places to play for different reasons, but that's just what the doctor ordered."