Roadrunners capture first RMAC title

By Michael BeDan
The Metropolitan

As the clock ticked off the final seconds, the pressures of expectations and the tiny doubts that might have bloomed from one bad loss evaporated with the final buzzer and mayhem ensued. The net came down courtesy of scissors and a ladder.

The celebration is a familiar sight to anyone close to the Metro womenâs basketball program. But to the group of changing faces that continue to build Metroâs basketball tradition, it never gets old.

Metroâs first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament championship trophy represents more than a championship in a new conference. It might be the Roadrunnersâ best chance to take history a step farther.

A 69-54 victory Feb. 28 over Mesa State at Auraria Events Center gave Metro an automatic bid to the NCAA
Division II North Central Regional basketball tournament and a March 6 date with the University of Northern Colorado. A victory there would give Metro its first regional victory in three tries. The Roadrunners twice won the Colorado Athletic Conference title (1993-94 and 1995-96) to gain a regional bid. Twice Metro lost.

One look at this yearâs squad, however, and itâs apparent times have changed.

The screaming, hugging women that gave Metro (25-4) its first RMAC title and its best regional seeding are the first to point out that they want more.

Senior Farrah Magee, who scored a game-high 22 points, collected 14 rebounds and added RMAC tournament MVP and RMAC Player of the Year awards after a storied season, is already looking ahead.

ãWinning at regionals is something weâve never done so it would mean more,ä Magee said before the RMAC tournament began.

Stephanie Allen, Metroâs sophomore point guard, said one thing is on her mind.

ãRevenge,ä Allen said. ãJust like we got against Fort Hays State and Kearney. I know we can beat (UNC) and should have beaten them before.ä

While the Roadrunners might have looked ahead at certain points of the season (a loss to Colorado Christian University before a regular season game with Nebraska-Kearney), no one in a powder-blue uniform had anything but a title in mind against Mesa State.

A close game for 31 minutes ÷ Metro led 49-48 with 9 minutes left ÷ the Roadrunners used their trademark defense to wrap up the final. Mesa State managed only six points the rest of the way as full-court pressure suffocated the Mavericksâ every possession.

Kristi Baxter, Allen and Magee did the rest. Magee scored nine points in the final 9 minutes and Allen scored seven of her 11. Baxter, who won three state championships in high school at Eads, calmly drained five three-pointers in the game to finish with 17. But Mesa State coach Steve Kirkham blamed Magee for his teamâs exit.

ãFarrah Magee took over,ä Kirkham said. ãIf she had been on our team, we would have won.ä
As it stands, however, Magee and Allen (both voted to the All-Tournament team) and the rest of the Roadrunners will forge on in bitter-cold North Dakota.

Metro coach Darryl Smith said his team has its sights set higher than the RMAC.

ãWhen theyâve lost, it hurt them,ä Smith said. ãThey have been hungry all year. Itâs tough. They have to be tough to play for me, and they are tough.ä

Metroâs familiarity with the UNC program gives the Roadrunners a sense of confidence they never had in past regional appearances when getting that far was enough, Smith said.

ãWe like our chances,ä he said. ãWe know we can press them and that we are a lot better than we were the last time we played them. I think playing UNC helps. (The Roadrunners) are not afraid of UNC. Before we would go to regionals and not know who weâd be playing.ä

Allen, who salivates at the opportunity to play 1997 national champion North Dakota in the regional semis should Metro get past UNC, said the program is ready to take the next step.

ãIâm not cocky, but I think we have a really good chance,ä Allen said.

ãThere is no pressure at all. We are the underdogs now and we are in a bracket with North Dakota. Maybe we can beat them on their home court and not let them go for another championship.ä

Baxter, who is a senior, doesnât want it to end.

ãWe still feel like we have things to accomplish,ä she said.