CSU-Pueblo men fall to Metro in Rocky Mountain Shootout

Posted: Mar 6, 2010 1:35 AM
Updated: Mar 6, 2010 1:35 AM

PUEBLO, Colo. - Defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion, Metro State, moved one step closer to back-to-back RMAC Shootout titles, besting Colorado State University-Pueblo 70-61 in the RMAC Shootout semifinals Friday.

Metro State used its height advantage over the ThunderWolves to produce a strong game in the paint, shooting well on high percentage shots, hitting 45.8 percent from the field and building a 36-28 halftime lead. Defensively, Metro State was strong, blocking CSU-Pueblo offensive opportunities and forcing the ThunderWolves to shoot outside, where they only went 3-for-14 from beyond the arc in the first half.

The second half produced the same result, as CSU-Pueblo squandered opportunities with costly turnovers and Metro State made the most of their possessions. The result was a balanced offensive effort as four Roadrunners scored in double-figures, led by a 19-point effort by Donte Nicholas.

With the loss, CSU-Pueblo's season ends with a 17-11 record while Metro State will continue its season Saturday night at 5 p.m. in the RMAC Championship game. Metro State enters the RMAC title game with a 23-6 mark.