Colorado Christian Basketball suffered an RMAC Tournament first-round loss Tuesday, falling 70-57 to top-seeded Metro State at the Auraria Event Center in Denver. The quarter-final defeat marks the third in as many years for the Cougar squad.
 
Just pesky enough to keep the game interesting for 40 minutes, CCU stayed with the 12^th-ranked Roadrunners thanks to hot hands on the perimeter. Tyler Shields drained four from downtown, and guards Andrew Squiers, Michael Brown, and Wayne McCullough each added two apiece the keep the Cougars close.
 
Unfortunately, Metro's talent and depth tipped the scales as the end drew near. The home team's advantage was most evident on the glass and from the line, where the Roadrunners attempted 15 more foul shots and brought down 24 more rebounds than the visiting Cougars.
 
"We did a lot of things well tonight and a few things poorly," explained CCU Head Coach Kevin Lubbers. "Giving up 15 offensive rebounds and then the enormous free-throw difference (22 for them, seven for us) were the two areas that really cost us."
 
Though Colorado Christian shot a meager 28% in the opening half, the blue and gold went into the break down only eight points. Halftime adjustments had the Cougars connecting twice as much in the second, hitting 50% of their shots from the field to assure a tighter game down the stretch. Down just four with 7:41 left to play, CCU began to see opportunity around the corner.
 
Unfortunately, Metro had other plans. As the minutes rolled off the clock, the home team ignited for a 20-11 scoring run to close out the contest.
 
Shields finished the night with a team-best 18 points, while Second Team All-RMAC pick Michael Brown totaled 16 and five assists.
 
Their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season now complete, the Cougars will turn their focus to the NCCAA post-season. They'll travel to Paragould, AR next week to compete in the Central Region Tournament. Find information on games and opponents on ccucougars.com.