Pueblo – In a tense battle between rivals who respect each others’ best punch, Nebraska- Kearney’s Chris Dean delivered the knockout blows Sunday to beat Metro State 71-68 in the championship game of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout.
Dean’s interior dominance, game highs of 27 points and 13 rebounds, was the difference, particularly in the second half, which featured 12 lead changes and eight ties at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
No more than five points separated the longtime RMAC powers in the second half and the fourth-seeded Roadrunners had a chance to send it into overtime, but third-seeded Nebraska-Kearney was smothering on defense, limiting Greg Muth to a desperation 3-pointer.
The Lopers (23-7) receive the RMAC’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division II tournament, while Metro State (21-9), winner of six of the past seven RMAC titles, could receive an at-large berth to run its streak to nine consecutive appearances.
“We were very honored to be in the final game and to play Metro,” Nebraska-Kearney co- head coach Tom Kropp said. “We try to emulate them and there’s no other program we respect as much as Metro.”
Roadrunners coach Mike Dunlap made similar comments about the Lopers and paid tribute to Dean, calling him the X factor. Dean, who was often open in the paint when the Lopers broke the press, was 8-for-8 from the field and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line.
“That’s the best game I’ve played in two years,” he said.
His Colorado Springs-based teammates, James Lane and Chad Burger, each made crucial late 3-pointers.
Metro State started slowly, trailing 10-0. Shortly after a three-point play by tournament MVP Dusty Jura, the Lopers went scoreless for four minutes.
Metro State hit a few 3-pointers and reserve Dorian Smith scored the last three baskets of the half on two driving bank shots and a backdoor cut for a dunk off Michael Bahl’s bounce pass. The game was tied at 24 at halftime.
METRO STATE (21-9)
Bahl 4-11 11-11 19, Williamson 1-5 2-3 5, Coulibaly 0-4 0-2 5, Carrington 1-5 0-0 2, Muth 4-12 0-0 11, Ballard 1-1 0-0 2, H. Smith 0-0 0-0 0, D. Smith 6-7 1-2 13, Price 0-2 2-4 2, Wagstaff 5-7 4-5 14. Totals 22-54 20-27 68.
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY (23-7)
Dean 8-8 11-13 27, Jura 6-10 3-5 15, Burger 3-9 0-0 9, Lane 2-4 2-2 7, Moore 0-2 0-0 0, Long 0-0 0-0 0, Morrell 4-9 2-2 11, Stephenson 0-3 2-2 2. Totals 23-45 20-24 71.
Halftime – Tied at 24. 3-point goals – Metro St. 4-14 (Muth 3-7, Williamson 1-2, Carrington 0-1, Bahl 0-4), Neb.-Kearney 5-16 (Burger 3-9, Morrell 1-1, Lane 1-3, Moore 0-1, Stephenson 0-2). Fouled out – Jura. Rebounds – Metro St. 27 (Bahl 9), Neb.-Kearney 33 (Dean 13). Assists – Metro St. 14 (Muth 3), Neb.-Kearney 14 (Jura, Morrell 4). Total fouls – Metro St. 19, Neb.-Kearney 21. A – 1,425.
