RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team returns to action this Saturday when the Hardrockers plays host New Mexico Highlands during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D.
After dispatching Nebraska Christian, 92-36, back on Dec. 18 in Rapid City during a non-conference bout, the Hardrockers head into the second half of the season with an 8-4 overall record and 3-3 mark in the RMAC.
Offensively, the Hardrockers continue to be productive and balanced. Sophomores
Anna Haugen (10.8 ppg) and
Sami Steffeck (10.6 ppg) make SD Mines dangerous both inside and on the perimeter while junior
Taylor Molstad (9.5 ppg) and sophomore
Cooper Courtney (9.7 ppg) are also productive with the ball.
Haugen (5-foot-11-inches), who was originally brought into the Hardrocker program as a guard, has had to step up to fill the No. 4 and 5 spots for the second year in a row due to teammates' injuries. She has really thrived on the inside and developed a knack for wrangling in the ball. She leads the team with 130 rebounds, including 24 on the offensive side. Haugen is averaging 8.6 rebounds a game and which ranks her third in the conference.
As a team, SD Mines is second in the RMAC in scoring, averaging 71.8 points a game while the 'Rockers rank fourth on defense, allowing 57.7 points per game. The 'Rockers are also winning their games by 14.2 ppg.
The Hardrockers are also second in the conference in three-point shooting percentage (.355), second in three-point field goals made (8.5), and fourth in assists (16.15 apg).
The Cowgirls come to town with a 4-7 overall record and are 2-4 in conference play. NMHU relies on the play of its forward Ari Baca --- a sophomore who is averaging 11.8 points per game. She is shooting about 50 percent from the field, can drain the 3, and is accurate at the foul line.
Junior teammate Savannah Madrid-Andrews is also a formidable weapon for the Cowgirls as she is cashing in for 10.6 points per game. She shoots 30 percent from the field but is good behind the arc and at the foul line as well.
New Mexico Highlands ranks last for scoring in the RMAC, putting up 50.2 points per night and is third from the bottom in points given up, allowing 68.7 per game. The Cowgirls are also at the bottom of the conference rankings in field goal percentage (.318), rebounding offense (29.7 per game), rebounding defense (43.3 per game), defensive rebounds ( 21.0 per game), rebounding margin (-13.6), blocked shots (1.7 per game) and assists (9.20 per game).
The Lady Hardrockers will face NMHU Saturday at 1 p.m. (MST) at the King Center and the game will be available to watch for free on the RMAC network by logging on to:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/ .
