GUNNISON, Colo. --- With a sense of urgency, the South Dakota School of Mines answered the call to get back into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference post-season conversation as the Hardrockers handed Western State Colorado University a 14-point loss on their home floor, 73-59, Friday evening in Gunnison, Colo.

The Hardrockers held control of the conference bout for a majority of the game, leading by five points after the first quarter, 15-10, and then bettering the home team, 18-15, in the second frame to lead by eight at the half, 33-25.

SD Mines was able to keep up the intensity in the third quarter, outscoring the Mountaineers, 20-19, and then surged over the final 10 minutes, leading by 20 points with just over three minutes to play in regulation. SD Mines outscored Western, 20-15 in the fourth period.

The Hardrockers finished the game shooting 47.1 percent, connecting on 24-51 attempts and were 8-18 from the three-point line and an impressive 17-19 from the free throw line. SD Mines grabbed 36 rebounds, recorded 15 assists, nine steals and one block.

Western State ended the game converting 23-62 baskets to shoot 37.1 percent from the field. They hit 5-19 from behind the arch, and made good on 8-11 from the foul line. The Mountaineers grabbed 32 rebounds, recorded eight assists and six steals.

 The Lady 'Rockers saw five players reach double figures on the night. Freshman Ryan Weiss paced the visitors with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Junior Taylor Molstad contributed with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Senior Payton Humpal and sophomore Molly McCabe both cashed in for 11 points and sophomore Anna Haugen added 10 points and nine rebounds.

The win gets the Hardrockers back into the green, improving to 13-7 on the season and 8-6 in the RMAC. After Friday, the Lady 'Rockers hold down the No. 8 spot in the league standings.

Next up, SD Mines travels to Grand Junction, Colo., for a Saturday meeting against Colorado Mesa at 5:30 p.m.