DENVER, COLO. --- The South Dakota School of Mines put up a good fight Friday night, but clutch shooting down the stretch and a relentless defense from the MSU-Denver Roadrunners kept stifling any chance of a comeback as the Hardrockers fell to the Roadrunners, 73-54, in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener in Denver, Colo.

MSU-Denver applied full-court pressure to the Hardrockers all night long and the home team's aggressive style along with the accurate shooting from guard Brian Howard (scored 21 points) stalled the 'Rockers' momentum in the second half.

MSU-Denver outscored SD Mines, 37-25, in the first half and then put up 36 markers in the second period while the Hardrockers notched 29 points. Midway through the second half, SD Mines cut into the Roadrunners' edge, getting within six points, but couldn't get within striking distance.

SD Mines hit 17-51 from the field to shoot 33 percent on the night, including five three-pointers and was 15-20 from the foul line for 75 percent. The Hardrockers also came down with 29 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks.

MSU-Denver shot 52 percent from the field making good on 28-54 shots, including eight three-pointers and was 9-15 from the free throw line for 60 percent. They grabbed 37 rebounds, 11 assists, seven blocks and five steals.

Individually for the Hardrockers, senior Marco Pascolo paced the team with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal. Senior Konor Kulas and junior Brian Orr both added nine points and freshman Jake Heath contributed with eight points. Kulas also led the team with six rebounds.

After Howard's 21 markers, MSU-Denver's Sunday Dech cashed in for 14 points and Peter Moller contributed with 12.

With the loss to MSU-Denver, SD Mines falls to 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in the RMAC. Next up, the Hardrockers take on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Colorado Springs, Colo.