March 6, 2010

Metro State Comes From Behind to Win RMAC Shootout Title

PUEBLO, Colo. - New Mexico Highlands led Metro State by as many as 19 points in the second half before Metro State went on a 29-13 run to close the game and win the 2010 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout championship, 83-79, Saturday night at the Colorado State Fair Events Center. The title marked Metro State's ninth tournament championship in 12 years and their third in the last four years.

Metro State was led by Donte Nicholas and Reggie Evans who each poured in 18 points. Nicholas added 10 rebounds while making 11 of 13 free throws. Evans, the Shootout's Most Valuable Player, was one rebound shy of a double-double and netted 9 of 18 field goals. A.J. Flournoy chipped in 14 points, four steals and three assists while Brain Minor and Jonathan Morse each registered 12 points.

Roman Andrarde paced New Mexico Highlands with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Ryan Gonzales came off the bench to contribute 17 points on 6 of 9 field goals (5 of 8 from three point range). Chop Tang made 3 of 9 field goals as part of his 10 points. He added nine rebounds and four assists.

As a team, Metro State shot .397 from the floor (25-63), .222 from long range (4-18), and .707 from the charity stripe (29-41). The Cowboys sank 25 of 59 field goals (.424), 11 of 28 three-point field goals (.393), and 18 of 28 free throws (.643).

Metro State, ranked fifth in last week's NCAA Central Region poll, will receive an automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament. New Mexico Highlands was ranked seventh in the same poll.

2010 RMAC Men's Basketball Shootout All-Tournament Team
Justin Neuhaus, Colorado Christian
Chop Tang, New Mexico Highlands
Reggie Evans, Metro State
Roman Andrade, New Mexico Highlands
Jonathan Morse, Metro State
MVP - Donte Nicholas, Metro State