MANKATO, Minn. — Despite shooting under 35 percent from the floor, Colorado Mines defeated Adams State 62-59 in the NCAA Division II Central Regional quarterfinals Saturday.
The Grizzlies took control early, leading 14-7 midway through the first half, but a 19-4 Orediggers run over the final 10 minutes, 18 seconds sent Mines into halftime ahead 26-18.
Both squads hit just eight field goals in the first 20 minutes, but Mines was able to gain an advantage at the free-throw line, converting on 7-of-8, and on the defensive end, forcing Adams State into 13 first-half turnovers.
The Grizzlies’ Marqus Richards led all scorers with 19 points.
Mines will face Fort Lewis in the Central Regional semifinals today.
Metro State 78, Mary 73
The Roadrunners made 9-of-10 at the line, including 5-of-6 from A.J. Flournoy, in the final 1:11 to seal the victory over the Marauders.
Reggie Evans finished with a team- high 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds and had three assists. Flournoy (14) and Jonathan Morse (12) also finished in double figures in scoring.
Metro State will face top-seeded Minnesota State at 6:30 p.m. today.
Fort Lewis 76, Mesa State 55
Longtime coach Bob Hofman recorded his first NCAA Tournament victory in seven attempts in the Skyhawks’ victory over the rival Mavericks in the Central Regional quarterfinals.
Skyhawks junior point guard Matt Billups led a balanced attack with 16 points, connecting on all four of his 3-point attempts. Colton Burgon led the Mavericks with 17 points.
The Skyhawks advanced to face Mines in today’s semifinals.
Women
Metro State 74, Wayne State 55
DURANGO — The Roadrunners put together a dominating first half as they jumped out to a 10-2 lead, scoring on five of their first six possessions.
They shot 57.1 percent from the field in the half and recorded a season-high 42 first-half points.
Metro State will face Adams State on Monday at 7 p.m., in Durango for the Central Regional championship and a trip to the Division II Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo.
Adams State 66, Northern State 49
DURANGO — The Grizzlies used a 37-27 halftime advantage to defeat the Wolves.
Adams State was paced by Vera Jo Bustos’ 22 points.
