RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team fought tooth-and-nail Saturday night against one the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's top teams and nearly pulled off a win at the King Center in Rapid City, but the Hardrockers came up just short to the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks, 59-58.

With less than 10 ticks remaining in the game, SD Mines had one last opportunity to win the game, but a last-second shot was off the mark as the Lady 'Rockers fell to 9-12 on the season and 7-10 in the RMAC while Colorado Mesa improved to 14-5 on the year and 11-4 in the conference.

Mesa took a slim 16-12 edge after the first quarter, and SD Mines trailed by just one marker at the half, 29-28. The Hardrockers gained the momentum after the third quarter and grabbed a 44-41 advantage. The Mavericks were able to regroup and outscored the 'Rockers, 18-14, in the final frame.

SD Mines shot 39 percent in the game, connecting on 20-51 attempts and was 8-19 from behind the arc. They added 10-16 from the free throw line. The Hardrockers recorded 31 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals and three blocks.

The Mavericks made good on 23-60 from the field (6-23 from three points range) to shoot 38 percent and were a perfect 7-7 from the foul line. The visitors tallied 29 rebounds, 14 assists, seven steals and four blocks.

Individually for the Hardrockers, senior Megan Rohrer had a big night with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Freshman Sami Steffeck also finished with 14 points (made four three-pointers), two assists, one rebound and one steal. Freshman Anna Haugen recorded another double-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds (four offensive), one assist and one steal. Sophomore Taylor Molstad contributed with nine markers.

Mesa was paced by Ma'ata Epenisa with 20 points and teammate Bryanna Adams added 14.

The Lady Hardrockers will be back in action this weekend playing host to the final two home games of the season. Friday's matchup will be against University of Colorado Colorado Springs and then face MSU-Denver on Saturday.