Box Score RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team picked up its first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win of the season Friday night, taking down the Colorado Christian Cougars, 71-60, at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D., in the Lady Hardrockers home opening conference game.
The 'Rockers took control early in the first quarter and never looked back, leading, 17-13, after the first quarter and then went up, 30-25, at the half. SD Mines extended their advantage to 12 markers at the end of the third, 47-35, and held off a Cougar comeback in the fourth to earn the win.
SD Mines shot 43 percent from the field Friday converting 19-44 attempts, including five three pointers. Things got a little close down the stretch as the Hardrockers struggled at the free throw line. The home team was 10-11 in the first half, but shot 60 percent in the second half (18-30), but still managed to hit shots down the stretch to earn the win.
"We may not have had our best offensive showing but we still found ways to score and that's what you have to do," said Hardrocker women's basketball head coach
Ryan Larsen. "I am extremely proud of this team."
The Hardrockers came down with 39 rebounds, including 10 on offense. SD Mines also tallied 16 assists, 10 steals and came away with three blocks.
"We rebounded well on both ends.
Megan Rohrer,
Taylor Molstad and
Anna Haugen all came up with some big offensive boards for us and that was a big key for us," Larsen added.
The Cougars shot 39 percent from the field, hitting 23-60 and was 12-21 from the free throw line. The visitors came down with 27 rebounds, had 11 assists and eight steals.
Individually for the 'Rockers, sophomore
Taylor Molstad led the way with a double-double. She earned 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Senior
Megan Rohrer contributed with 11 markers, seven rebounds and two steals. Freshman
Anna Haugen had a great game with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
For CCU, Claire Paxton paced her team with 16 points, Kaitlyn Hinch had 15 and Mikala Gordan added 11 points.
The win gives SD Mines a 3-5 record on the season and improve to 1-2 in the RMAC. Next up, the Hardrockers play host to Colorado Mines Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
