RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines routed the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls, 86-47, Saturday afternoon during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the King Center in Rapid City, S.D.

The Hardrockers scored at least 16 points in each of the four quarters played, outscoring the Cowgirls, 19-7 in the opening frame and bettered the visitors, 16-14, in the second period to go into halftime with a 14-point edge, 35-21.

SD Mines kept rolling in the second half, outscoring NMHU, 26-13, in the third quarter and then posted a 25-13 showing over the final 10 minutes. The 'Lady 'Rockers led by as many as 42 points late into the fourth quarter.

SD Mines had another great offensive output, shooting 58.5 percent from the field Saturday making good on 31-53 attempts. Accurate shooting on the perimeter was a major factor in the outcome as the 'Rockers converted 15-27 tried from behind the arc (55.6 percent.) The home team were also 9-11 from the free throw line, came down with 23 rebounds, had 17 assists, 12 steals and two blocked shots.

New Mexico Highlands converted 16-44 from the field to shoot 36.4 percent, and hit only 5-19 from three-point range. The Cowgirls made good on 10-19 from the foul line, came down with 25 rebounds, had five assists, two steals and two blocks.

Individually for the Hardrockers, junior Taylor Molstad and sophomore Sami Steffeck both led the team with 15 points each. Freshman Ryan Weiss tacked on 13 markers and sophomore Cooper Courtney contributed with 11. Senior Krista Showalter had five assists in the game.

The win improves SD Mines to 9-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference. Next up, SD Mines hits the road heading to Pueblo, Colo., to face the CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves on Friday followed by a rematch against NMHU on Saturday in Las Vegas, N.M.