Winona, Minn. – Metro State had a chance to tie the game with 16 seconds left Saturday, but Michael Bahl’s 3-pointer missed the mark and the sixth-seeded Roadrunners (21-10) lost 72-67 to No. 3 seed Northern State (S.D.) in the first round of the NCAA North Central Regional.
Metro State used its outside shooting to stay in the game, making 6-of-9 3-pointers in the first half to trail 36-30 at the half.
But Metro State’s marksmanship was not enough to offset the inside play and rebounding advantage (37-26) forged by the Wolves.
“We didn’t get it done on the boards,” Metro State head coach Mike Dunlap said. “It was the story of the game. It’s been a great year.”
Bahl had three 3-pointers in an 11-4 Metro State run to open the second half that put the Roadrunners up 41-40.
METRO STATE (21-10)
Carrington 4-8 0-0 9, Muth 4-8 0-0 11, Coulibay 1-3 1-2 3, Bahl 6-13 2-2 18, Williamson 3-7 0-0 7, Ballard 4-7 0-0 11, H. Smith 0-0 0-0 0, D. Smith 1-4 0-2 2, Price 0-2 0-0 0, Wagstaff 3-8 0-0 6. Totals 26-60 3-6 67.
NORTHERN STATE (26-5)
Hammer 5-14 5-7 17, Grant 2-4 0-2 6, Busack 7-10 11-13 25, Schwan 1-4 1-2 3, Nelson 4-6 0-0 12, Wicks 0-1 0-0 0, Ratzsch 1-3 2-2 4, Hamilton 2-2 0-0 4, Schoo 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 22-45 20-28 72.
Halftime – Northern St. 36-30. 3-point goals – Metro St. 12-23 (Bahl 4-7, Muth 3-5, Ballard 3-6, Williamson 1-2, Carrington 1-3), Northern St. 8-17 (Nelson 4-6, Hammer 2-4, Grant 2-4, Shwan 0-1, Wicks 0-1, Ratzsch 0-1). Fouled out – Wagstaff. Rebounds – Metro St. 26 (Bahl, Wagstaff 5), Northern St. 37 (Hammer 8). Assists – Metro St. 15 (Williamsno 4), Northern St. 15 (Hammer 5). Total fouls – Metro St. 22, Northern St. 11. A – 406.
