Feb. 29, 2008

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - All-RMAC guard Ashley Mickens tallied her fifth consecutive double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 3-seed Metro State to an 88-60 victory over No. 6-seed Adams State in the first round of the RMAC Tournament, Friday evening at the Auraria Events Center.

Mickens tied her career high with the 28 points as she shot 11-for-15 from the floor and posted her sixth double-double in her past seven games. She also added five assists and a steal in just 25 minutes. Ten players scored for the Roadrunners as Megan Sinclair added 14 points and five boards off the bench. Laurel Mortensen was the only Grizzly in double figures with 15 points.

"Ashley always does a nice job," said Roadrunner head coach Linda Lappe. "She also did a nice job tonight knowing when to kick it out. She really executed tonight and shot a high percentage because she took great shots."

It was a season high in points for Metro State, as the Roadrunners also held a 37-24 advantage on the boards, including 16 offensive rebounds. Metro State, which led throughout the game, forced 20 Adams State turnovers, and scored 30 points off Grizzly miscues.

The Roadrunners came out hot in the first half, shooting 56.5 percent from the floor and building a 47-25 advantage as it had just five first-half turnovers. Metro State led 7-6 before going on an 18-4 run to take a 25-10 lead. After Adams State cut the margin to just nine, 29-20, the Roadrunners went on an 18-5 run over the rest of the half. Jocelyn Pardilla had seven of her nine points for Adams State in the first period.

"We came out really focused," said Lappe. "We had something to prove as we didn't play very well down there the first time around. We really kept the pressure on them early."

Metro State started the second half where it led off in the first, scoring nine straight to open the period to build a 31-point advantage, 56-25, less than two minutes in. Adams State shot 50 percent in the second period but had 26 fewer field-goal attempts in the contest.

The Roadrunners will face Nebraska-Kearney in the RMAC Shootout semifinals, March 7 at 6 p.m., at the State Fair Events Center in Pueblo, Colo. The Lopers defeated Regis, 85-71, in the first round Friday evening.

"Rebounding will be key against UNK," said Lappe. "We gave up too many offensive rebounds when we played them before. Free throws and rebounds win big games and we'll have to do that and be ready to play. Kearney has a great team and we'll have to be on top of our game to win."

With the win, Metro State improves to 19-9 overall, while Adams State falls to 13-15 overall.