| Metro’s
season wraps in regional
Northern
State uses inside play to limit ‘Runners
By Matt Gunn
gunnma@mscd.edu
Metro
guard Dorian Smith attempts to get past the Northern
State University defense in the Roadrunners’ first
game in the NCAA North Central Regional tournament
March 11 in Winona, Minn. Metro lost the game 72-67.
Photo
by Emily Varisco • varisco@mscd.edu
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The Roadrunners’ season
ended in Winona, Minn., in a 72-67 first-round NCAA Regional
loss to Northern
State University. Metro finished the year with a 21-10 overall
record.
The loss ended a season in which the ‘Runners adapted
to a perimeter shooting game and introduced nine new players.
“
I let the group know how much fun I’ve been having,” head
coach Mike Dunlap
said. “You don’t wait to the end to tell them how
much you appreciate them. I tell them a lot. So, when we come
in here, we come in here understanding it’s all part of
the game.”
An underdog throughout the postseason,
No. 6 seed Metro was outmatched in the paint by the No. 3 Wolves
in a rematch of last year’s opening-round game. Northern
State out-rebounded the ‘Runners 37-26.
“
Quite simply, we didn’t get it done on the boards,” Dunlap
said. “It’s been our Achilles all year long. You
can never take away any credit from your opponent for doing
that, but the disparity of rebounds was the story of the game.”
The Roadrunners’ trademark styles of play showed early
in the game. Metro used its pressure defense to generate turnovers
and jumped to an early 11-3 lead.
The early rush was short-lived, however, and Northern State quickly
picked up its offense. The Wolves countered with a 17-3 run of
their own, taking control from the ‘Runners.
“
They had the scouting report right, and they didn’t stop,” senior
guard Drew Williamson
said. “They played a great game.”
Along with minimizing Metro’s rebounding,
Northern State took away the Roadrunners’ ability
to penetrate the lane. On the other end, the Wolves used their
own penetration
to draw fouls.
“
Our rotations were a little slow today, but they did a great
job sealing our big men inside, and they’ve got some big
bodies
in there,” junior forward Michael Bahl said. “Give
them all the credit, because they sealed us great on the inside.
They got positioning
and they made the shots.”
Metro regained momentum in the final five minutes of the first
half and narrowed an 11-point lead to six, 36-30, at the break.
The ‘Runners continued to charge in the second half.
Bahl led the way, accumulating 13 of his 18 total points in the
opening 10 minutes of the second. Seniors Greg Muth and Dustin
Ballard each added 11 points to the ‘Runners
effort.
Each time Metro scored, its supporters got a little louder.
The fans erupted when the Roadrunners tied the game at 67 with 1:17
to play. It was the final time Metro would score.
Northern State used free throws to seal the victory. Wolves’ forward
Matt Hammer shot seven free throws; Metro only shot six. Center
Aaron Busack earned 11 of his game-high 25 points from the line.
“
It’s great to play against them,” Northern
State head coach Don Meyer said. “They just have a very
organized program, and they’ve obviously proven that they
get good players. This is probably the best coaching job (Dunlap
has) done at Metro, because he had so many new guys, different
guys and young guys. We were fortunate to win.”
The Wolves earned their first win in an NCAA Regional Tournament.
Metro seniors Williamson, Muth, Ballard
and Dorian Smith each played their final games in a Roadrunner
uniform.
“
I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Williamson
said. “My transition from Fordham wouldn’t change
it. I loved doing what I’ve done here. It’s been
great.
Metro
guard Dustin Ballard watches as the Roadrunners make
a 10-point comeback against the Wolves in the
second half of their opening-round game in the NCAA
Division II Tournament March 11 in Winona, Minn. Despite
the ‘Runners’ efforts, Northern State held
on for its first tournament victory. The Wolves went
on to beat Fort Hays State University in the semifinal.
Photo
by Emily Varisco • varisco@mscd.edu
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