GOLDEN — In the last 17 seconds of the game, Metro State’s Paul Brotherson may have seen all of his two-year career with the Roadrunners flash in front of his eyes, but the final nerve-wracking moments Saturday against Adams State had a gratifying ending.
Brotherson walked to the free-throw line with 8.2 seconds left and cashed in two free throws to clinch a 79-74 victory in the face of a late rush by the Grizzlies at Lockridge Arena on the Colorado School of Mines campus.
The victory sends Metro State into today’s 5 p.m. semifinal against St. Cloud (Minn.) State in the Central Regional of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
But eight seconds before the important free throws, Brotherson was involved in a play that could have led to a much different ending.
Adams State trailed 69-55 with 2:58 left, but two free throws by Deray Wilson pulled the Grizzlies to within 77-74 with 16.9 seconds left. Then Brotherson and teammate Tyler Cooper got mixed up on the inbounds pass, and the Grizzlies had a chance to tie the game.
The Grizzlies (19-9) got their chance, but a 3-point cast by Wilson didn’t drop and Brotherson, who hit a career-high 16, finished it at the other end.
“I was just glad I could make up for my mistake,” Brotherson said of the final seconds. “It was nerve-wracking. After the inbounds pass, I tried not to think about it too much. I felt confident on the free throws.”
The Roadrunners (23-6) led most of the way, although they never could shake the Grizzlies.
“We knew it was going to be a close game,” Metro State coach Derrick Clark said. “It was the kind of game that was going to come down to free throws.”
And the Roadrunners gained a healthy advantage at the free-throw line, hitting 28-of-37 chances. Adams State countered with 15-of-21, but the Grizzlies were called for 26 fouls.
“We take some chances,” Adams State coach Louis Wilson said. “We don’t sit back on our heels. We try to make plays. Sometimes we try to do too much.”
The Roadrunners led 35-30 at halftime, thanks to 17 of a game-high 29 points by Reggie Evans, a 6-foot-4 senior from Rangeview.
“We were playing aggressively at the guard positions, and we were able to set up the 3-point shots by penetrating into their zone and kicking the ball out,” Miller said.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
