RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team got off to a fast start and kept the momentum through four quarters of play as the Lady Hardrockers defeated the Johnson and Wales Wildcats, 77-48, Friday night during SD Mines' home opener at the King Center in Rapid City.

SD Mines unleashed in the first quarter, outscoring the visitors, 17-5, and then bettered JWU, 21-10, in the second period and went into halftime up, 38-15.
The 'Rockers kept the momentum in the third quarter and led by 23 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final 10 minutes, the 'Rockers outscored the Wildcats, 21-15.

SD Mines finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field making good on 30-69 attempts, including eight from three-point range. The also added 9-12 from the free throw line. The home team came down with 45 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive end and recorded 21 assists, 12 steals and five blocks.

The Wildcats converted 19-54 and shot 35 percent from the field, including seven three-pointers and 3-6 from the foul line. They had 26 rebounds, six assists, seven steals and two blocks.

The Hardrockers were at maximum power on the offensive side of ball as freshman Emma Pearce paced the team with 16 points, while senior Payton Humpal cashed in for 15 markers and Ryan Weiss contributed with 11. Junior Marissa Hirchert had nine points and sophomores Sami Steffeck and Anna Haugen added eight each. Haugen also came down with 12 rebounds on the night and senior Sarah Rawlings notched five assists.

SD Mines improved their record to 3-0 on the season and will be back in action Saturday in a 2 p.m. matchup against Grace University.