CHADRON, Neb. -- December 10, 2016 -- Fans at Chicoine Center got their money's worth Saturday night in a wild and competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game.

In the end, Metropolitan State University of Denver (8-2, 4-0 RMAC) outlasted Chadron State College (1-7, 1-3 RMAC) in a 71-62 decision that was closer than the final score indicated.

MSU Denver with their full court pressure, it's different," said CSC head men's basketball coach Houston Reed. "You might see one or two teams like that all year."

There were 17 lead changes, and nine times the score was tied. Chadron State led for 15 minutes, 12 seconds, while MSU Denver carried the lead for 16:33. Each team led by as many as nine points in the game.

The Eagles shot an incredible 12-of-17 in the first half (70.6 percent), more than twice the rate of the opponent who hit 9 of 26 field goals. However the Roadrunners feasted on second chance points throughout the game, getting a 21-2 advantage in that category, and shot well when it mattered most in a tense finish.

With a 54-51 Chadron state lead at 8:03 in the second half, MSU Denver went on a 12-2 run by knocking down three of four field goals - one from three-point range, and getting to the line three times for five of six free throws. All of this occurred within a span of three and a half minutes, giving the visitors a seven-point advantage which they rode to the final nine-point margin.

"I was just proud of the guys," said Reed. "Last night was an emotional game and we expended a lot of energy. For us to get prepared for this and follow the gameplan on a quick turnaround, I was pleased with their mental engagement and their physical effort. We were slow to the ball at times – we have to be better in some areas – but there was no lack of effort."

Darius Polley was the Eagles' leading scorer finishing with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, getting 2-of-3 from behind the arc. He also led the team with four assists and two steals.

"We're asking Darius to do a ton right now," said Reed, "and he's stepping to the plate. He has to guard the other team's best player sometimes, and then go on offense as well."

Warren Gordon again scored in double-digits, getting 17 points and three assists.

Myles Busby grabbed six of the team's 22 total rebounds for the evening, on a night when the Roadrunners got 16 offensive boards to CSC's four.

The leading scorer for MSU Denver was Cameron Williams, who shot 6-of-12 from the field and hit 8-of-10 free throws to gain 21 points.

Chadron State is at South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State next weekend.

These guys are hungry – they're out here earning people's respect," said an emotional coach Reed. "We talk about growing up and being a leader in our communities and our society – there's nothing more you want than to earn people's respect."