Metro State’s Mitch McCarron (10) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds against Central Missouri during a semifinal game of the NCAA Division II men’s college basketball tournament semifinal Thursday, but it was his last-second desparation shot that rimmed out that send the Roadrunners home for the season.
Metro State’s Mitch McCarron (10) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds against Central Missouri during a semifinal game of the NCAA Division II men’s college basketball tournament semifinal Thursday, but it was his last-second desparation shot that rimmed out that send the Roadrunners home for the season.Denny Simmons/Evansville Courier & Press

The Roadrunners didn’t look down, but Metro State still fell into the Grand Canyon.

Metro State’s Mitch McCarron sank two free throws to tie the Division-II national semifinal against Central Missouri 69-69 with just 7.7 seconds remaining in the game played in Evansville, Ind.

Central Missouri (29-5) raced down the court and Daylen Robinson found TJ White for the game-winning layup with one second left.

McCarron missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer after catching a full-court pass that gave him a look at a shot for the win, but the shot rimmed out and gave the Central Missouri Mules the win.

Metro State (32-2) lost 71-69 to end its 29-game winning streak and run at a second consecutive national title game appearance.

Brandon Jefferson scored 21 points for the Roadrunners while Charles Hammork led the Mules with 14 points.

Metro State erased an eight-point halftime deficit to tie the game 62-62 with 3:41 remaining.

Central Missouri will play West Liberty University in the national championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday in Evansville.

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