Denver, Colorado

A 16-3 run to end the first half led host No. 17 Metro State to a 92-76 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday night in the final game of the Metro State/Mines Basketball Classic.

The Lions (6-6) held a six-point advantage with 5:11 left, 33-27, in the opening half before a decisive 16-3 run by Metro State gave the host Roadrunners a 43-36 lead at the intermission.

In the loss, Texas A&M-Commerce continued its trend of making shots from beyond the arc in the contest, making 12 of 26 shots in the loss. In his first start for the Lions, junior Champ Sylvester scored a game-high 19 points to lead Texas A&M-Commerce. He was joined in double figures by Brad Brickens, who scored 13 and dished out a game-high six assists and Archie Beason, who added 12.

For the Roadrunners, all five starters were in double figures as Michael Bahl and Moussa Coulibaly each scored 14 to lead Metro State as they raise their record to 10-2.

With a seven-point lead at halftime, 32-25, the Roadrunners shot 64 percent in the second half en route to the victory. In the second half, Metro State made 7 of 12 three pointers to blow the contest wide open against the Lions. Metro State held an advantage as much as 21 on a pair of occasions to take control of the contest. An unselfish Metro State squad had 29 assists on 33 field goals and outrebounded the Lions 32-25 in the win.

Next, the Lions will take on another nationally-ranked foe in Tarleton State, who are ranked as high as No. 9 in the national polls on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 8 pm.