SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University men's basketball team has made a habit of putting on a show for the fans of the Young Center when Metropolitan State University of Denver visits, however for the third-straight one possession game against the Roadrunners, the Yellow Jackets fell just short 62-59.

The Yellow Jackets fell by three points at home last year to MSUD and lost in double overtime two seasons ago to then No. 11 MSU Denver. 

The Yellow Jackets held a 36-24 halftime lead but were outscored 38-23 in the second stanza as MSU Denver grabbed the lead with 7:49 remaining in the game when Sunday Dech sank a 3-point basket for the 47-44 lead.

The Roadrunners built the lead as large as seven points with 1:33 on the clock before five quick Yellow Jacket points cut the deficit to two. Sam McCloud found Connor O'Hearn for the 3-point basket. After BHSU had a stop on the defensive end, Zach McLemore hit a jumper for the 59-57 score and 24 seconds on the clock.

After trying to stretch the game out, the Yellow Jackets sent Andre Harris to the free throw line with 19 seconds on the clock. Harris sank both free throws to rebuild the lead to four points. Stefan Desnica then got the two points back with a jumper in the paint. After sending Brian Howard to the charity stripe with 10 seconds left, the Green and Gold were fortunate to have Howard miss the second shot to give BHSU one last attempt to tie the game.

Fraser Malcolm was able to get a very contested shot away in the left corner that drew iron but could not get it to fall as MSU Denver snuck away with the victory.

Black Hills State (7-16, 4-13 RMAC) opened a 10-point lead midway through the first half when Fraser Malcolm sank a 30-foot shot as the shot clock expired for the 23-13 score. The Roadrunners cut back into the deficit and pull within four points, however a 6-0 run rebuilt the lead as Max Mueller hit a jumper followed by a pair of jump shots from Malcolm.

The Yellow Jackets entered the intermission with a 36-24 lead behind 15 first half points from Malcolm who ended with a game-high 23 points. Malcolm has now averaged 21.6 points per game over his last three games. Connor O'Hearn joined the sophomore with 11 points and McLemore with 10 points. McLemore tallied a career-best seven assists.

Howard led MSU Denver (13-9, 9-7 RMAC) with 18 points while Dech added 15.

The Yellow Jackets shot 48.8 percent (21-of-43) from the field including 12 long-range baskets but were hurt by hitting just 5-of-12 free throws.

The Yellow Jackets continue action at home on Saturday night hosting the University of Colorado Colorado Springs at 6 p.m. in the Young Center.