DENVER – The MSU Denver Roadrunners battled fiercely but ultimately fell 84-79 in an overtime heartbreaker against Regis University on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong effort from the Roadrunners, Regis' late-game execution proved to be the difference.
 
The game was a back-and-forth contest from the opening tip, with six ties and five lead changes throughout. MSU Denver and Regis remained neck-and-neck, with the Roadrunners taking a narrow 10-9 lead after the first quarter. The teams continued to trade baskets in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a narrow difference of at 35-34.
 
The Roadrunners showed resilience in the second half, keeping pace with the Rangers despite being outscored 21-17 in the third quarter. MSU Denver responded in the fourth, outscoring Regis 19-16 and forcing overtime thanks to a clutch layup from Brooklynn Jones in the closing seconds to tie the game at 71-71.
 
In the overtime period, Regis capitalized on key free throws, converting 8-of-8 from the line to secure the win. Athena Saragoza led Regis with 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Erin Fry added 26 points, including 16-for-19 from the free-throw line.
 
For the Roadrunners, Brooklynn Jones was sensational off the bench, leading the team with 24 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting, including six three-pointers. Brianna Sealy contributed 17 points and six rebounds, while Ashlyn Yow added 13 points, knocking down three three-pointers.
 
As a team, MSU Denver shot a solid 46.2% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc but struggled to capitalize at the free-throw line, converting only 8-of-12 attempts. Regis' dominance at the charity stripe (25-of-34) proved to be a crucial factor in the final outcome.
 
Despite the loss, the Roadrunners saw significant contributions from their bench, which outscored Regis' reserves 52-10. However, Regis made the most of their second-chance opportunities and points off turnovers, ultimately sealing the game with late defensive stops.
 
MSU Denver (6-20 overall, 5-13 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) will look to regroup as they prepare for their next matchup on Thursday, February 27 at CSU Pueblo.