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High-flying Roadrunners

By Zac Taylor
ztaylor2@mscd.edu

Metro men’s basketball extended their winning streak to five games after defeating rival Nebraska-Kearney 85-74, Chadron State 66-56 and Colorado Christian University 80-77 at the Auraria Event Center Feb. 15 and 16, putting the Roadrunners in position for a high seed in the Rocky out in March.

Metro’s last loss, only a few weeks earlier on Feb 2, was a down to the wire match at Kearney that ended in the Lopers favor 88-82. Kearney forward Drake Beranek erupted for 41 points in that game, which led to the ’Runners downfall.

“Beranek, he can score points in bunches,” Metro head coach Brannon Hays said.

On Feb. 15 Metro took its second crack at RMAC East No.2 Kearney, and Beranek could not match his huge numbers from the field.

Not only did Hays’ squad keep the forward in check, the Roadrunners prevented any player from getting 20 points, stopping Beranek at 19 on the way to keeping his team’s potent offense in check.

“With Kearney, if you can keep them under 80, it’s a good effort,” Hays said.

The increased defensive presence Metro has brought in the second half of the season has allowed them to keep opponents below their normal offensive levels. The improved defense has also resulted in a better all-around game, as evidenced by 27 points off the 20 turnovers the Roadrunners forced against the Lopers.

Metro guard Marquise Carrington and forward Jesse Wagstaff, led the attack, scoring 24 and 22 points respectively. The Roadrunner’s offense once again showcased the vast improvement of center Lawrence Billings.

“(Billings) is peeking at the right time,” Carrington said. “He’s what we need to put us over the top.”

The junior, a transfer from Bakersfield Junior College and in his first season as a Roadrunner, has rebounded from a slow start early in the season, scoring double figures in the past three games after averaging just over five points per game for the majority of the season.

“It’s nice to have an athletic guy at the five-spot,” Hays remarked on Billings playing center, “Because it’s a mismatch with other guys.”

Billings scored 13 points in the contest, but the 6-foot-8-inch center really exploded in the decisive second half, piling up 12 points, including a fast-break dunk, as the Runners’ sealed the win.

“I just dunked it and it was game over after that,” Billings said.

The heated rivalry game was far from over at halftime, as both teams were running furiously to a 38-38 tie at the break. Then it was Metro who grabbed the momentum, opening the second half with an 8-0 run triggered by a trey from guard Guiseppe Ciancio. And although the Lopers would battle back and even briefly take the lead, the game had clearly turned Metro’s way.

“We shut them down in the second half,” Hays said.

Metro hadn’t let up on the high intensity of the first half, playing for every possession. The determination shone through on the many spectacular defensive plays, including a loose ball that Ciancio dove on for the steal.

“Defense is always the key, that’s where it starts,” Carrington said. “Offense will come and go, defense always has to be consistent.”

The ’Runners also pride themselves on finally beating their powerful rival and upsetting the No. 2 team in the RMAC East Division.

“Every game is important,” Carrington said, “But in your heart you always want to beat Kearney.”

The following night, another Nebraska team came to the Event Center, but Chadron State can’t lay claim to a storied rivalry and, after a rally fell short in the second half, Metro continued their winning streak over the Eagles to 18 games in the 66-56 win.

Wagstaff led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, including five straight points that ended a Chadron rally with just over three minutes remaining.

Ciancio and Billings added 13 points each to give the Roadrunners their best record in the RMAC this season.

“Our goal is to get better each night,” Hays said. “And we took care of business at home.”

Home court continued to favor Metro when they hosted Colorado Christian University Feb. 19. An 80- 77 win over the RMAC East leaders pushed the Roadrunners’ winning streak to five games and secured a spot in the RMAC Shootout.

The game was far from decided after the end of the first half with Metro trailing 35-36.

Even throughout most of the second half, the Cougars held onto a small lead as they punished the ’Runners big men in the paint.

Metro’s saving grace in the showdown was their free throw shooting (26-of-30 from the line) and their clutch shots from behind the arc late in the game.

It wasn’t until 1:20 minutes remaining that the Roadrunners finally evened the score for the first time in the second half. Carrington ripped away an errant Cougars pass and sprinted for the basket, beating a Cougars defender for the tying layup.

On Metro’s next possession, forward Daniel Bass drove the lane to score the go-ahead basket, giving the home team a 76-74 lead with under a minute remaining.

The Roadrunners locked down on defense to hold onto the win, finished off by Billings.

The Metro center made one of two foul shots to make it a three-point game with eight seconds remaining.

With under two seconds, the Cougars were fouled, but they missed the first free throw and Billings emerged from the scuffle bobbling on to the ball as time ran out and the ’Runners pulled of the huge upset over CCU.

“We made some big time shots and free throws,” Burgess said. “So we’ve got confidence right now.”

Metro brings their streak to their final game of the regular season against a School of Mines squad playing for a spot in the RMAC Tournament. The game is Feb. 22 at the Auraria Events Center, during Metro’s homecoming week.