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'Runners sweep RMAC foes
by Eric Scott
The Metropolitan
 (by Steve Stoner- The MetropolitanRoadrunne) junior forward Michael Morse goes up for a shot against Nebraska-Kearney defenders Nick Branting, left, and Chad Sheffield Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Auraria Events Center. Metro
completed an undefeated season in the RMAC for the first time in school history.
Roadrunner men's basketball set even more records last week in wins against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney and in the process the 'Runners were able to sweep the RMAC for the first time in RMAC history.
No. 1 Metro (25-2 overall, 19-0 RMAC) battled the Fort Hays State Tigers (17-10, 12-7 RMAC) last Thursday in front of a homecoming crowd of 1,432 at the Auraria Events Center. Fort Hays clawed at the Roadrunners in the opening minutes, as the Tigers were able to take a 17-12 lead with 12:08 remaining in the first half. Metro responded with an 11-0 run, which was highlighted by a three-pointer and a slam-dunk from senior forward Jamar Bohannon. The 'Runners were able to take their largest lead of the game (34-24) to that point with a trifecta from junior forward Mark Worthington with 5:50 remaining in the half. Fort Hays was able to put together a couple of short rallies before Metro roared back with a steal by Worthington and a three point prayer, which was answered by junior guard Keith Borgan, and put the score at 46-34 with 1:40 remaining. The Tigers' battle cry could still be heard as they went on a 6-0 run to end the half trailing 46-38.
"They did us a favor by playing so physical," said head coach Mike Dunlap. "Hallelujah for a tough game. It was just what the doctor ordered."
Hearts could still be heard pounding at the start of the second half as Fort Hays cut the Metro lead to four with an 8-4 run that made the score 50-46. The Roadrunners were able to push the lead back to double-figures by going on a 10-4 run, which put the score at 60-50 with 14:20 remaining in the game. The 'Runners were able to keep up the double figure wall until the Tigers cut the lead to 69-61. Senior guard Luke Kendall answered the challenge with a three-pointer of his own, which triggered an 11-5 run by Metro that put the score at 83-67 with 6:15 remaining. Fort Hays was not able to come any closer than 12 points the rest of the way as the Roadrunners de-clawed the Tigers 97-82 despite having a season-low 20 rebounds. Kendall had a double/double with 21 points and 10 assists. With the win, Metro clinched the RMAC regular season title and the top seed in the conference tournament.
"Toward the end, we showed our true colors and we fought back," said junior forward Michael Morse. "We were able to get the ball inside and execute."
Dunlap said even though being No. 1 is a factor, "we were more focused on winning the RMAC." He said it was "a heck of an accomplishment."
Even though the 'Runners had already clinched the conference title, the match up with the No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (24-3, 16-3 RMAC) last Saturday might have been important for Metro's momentum going into the RMAC Tournament.
Kearney fans decided to hitch their trailers and travel to Denver to be a part of the 1,517 fans who saw a teeth-grinding contest. Before the game, seniors C.J. Massingale, Kendall, Bohannon, and Lester Strong were honored in their last regular season home game as Roadrunners.
UNK sprinted out to a 13-8 lead in the first four and a half minutes, but the Roadrunners came back to take a 17-16 lead with 12:48 remaining in the first half. Metro decided to pull ahead a bit as they went on a 16-4 run, which made the score 39-25 with 4:07 remaining. UNK fought back by going on their own 9-3 run, cutting Metro's lead to eight but efficient shooting from the 'Runners allowed them to take a 49-34 lead at the break.
In the second half, Kearney seemed to lose their fight, as the closest they came to Metro's lead was ten points. Six Metro players scored in double digits in the 104-79 Roadrunner win. Kendall and Massingale led Metro with 22 points each.
It was a school record ninth time the 'Runners had scored 100 or more points this season.
"Board play and being able to go up and down with them (UNK) was important," Dunlap said.
Also, Metro was able to extend their nation-leading 23 game win streak.
If Metro is able to win their first-round game against Adams State March 3, it will play at 1:30 p.m. at the World Arena in Colorado Springs on Saturday, March 6 to take on the winner of the Fort Lewis-Colorado Christian game.
The RMAC championship game will be Sunday, March 7 at 3 p.m. Student two-day passes for the Wells Fargo RMAC Shootout can be purchased for $7-10 at the World Arena box office. |
