@MSUDenverMBB: MSU Denver Gives Fans Something to Remember After 73-71 Win
DENVER - If you've ever played or been around sports, you know the saying "a win is a win". And that much is very true tonight as the Roadrunners escape with a two point victory at home after a half court shot from Javon Thomas was overturned. The initial ruling on the court was a made basket, however the officiating crew did their due diligence and went to the monitor to make sure. They found that the ball did not leave his hand before the buzzer sounded and the emotions from both sides did a complete 180 degrees.
MSU Denver had plenty of chances to shut the door as they led at halftime 42-31. Everything was going their way offensively as Sufyan Elkannan carried over his hot shooting vs Western Colorado into the first half tonight. The Junior guard caught the nets on fire as he started out 4-4 from behind the arc and helped the Roadrunners shoot 9 of 18 from the perimeter in the first half.
The hot shooting from the first did not carry over to the second as MSU Denver was limited to 1-11 from behind the arc and allowed the Eagles to close the deficit and get within one with under three minutes remaining. Javon Thomas had his way in the 2nd half, however his effort alone was not enough as MSU Denver had four players finish in double digits, including Brayden Carter who recorded his 6th double double on the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Free-throw shooting was a plus tonight as the Roadrunners shot 11 of 14 from the stripe. They also dominated bench points, doubling up Chadron State 26-13 in that category. Points in the paint was what kept the Eagles in the game as they led MSU Denver 42-28 in that stat. The Roadrunners have two home games remaining in the regular season before they play their final three all on the road. They will need to clean up some mental errors before March rolls around.
* Another key is MSU Denver clinched a berth in the RMAC tournament with a victory tonight.
Key Players
MSU Denver :
Sufyan Elkannan - 17 points 2 rebounds 1 steal on 6-12 shooting and 5-9 from three
Caleb McGill - 15 points 5 rebounds 3 assists on 6-11 shooting 2-3 from three
Chadron State:
Darrius Miles 17 points 5 rebounds on 7-11 shooting and 3-3 from three
Javon Thomas 22 points 5 rebounds 5 assists 5 steals on 10-18 shooting
Next game: Saturday, February 15th at 3 p.m. at the Auraria Event Center vs South Dakota Mines.
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