LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball teams bounced back from a Friday-night loss as the Hardrockers handled the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls, 71-55, Saturday evening during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in Las Vegas, N.M.

The Hardrockers overpowered NMHU with a strong first-quarter performance, outscoring the Cowgirls, 22-8, which was big factor in the outcome.

The 'Rockers went into halftime up 33-23. The visitors kept up the intensity in the second half, bettering the New Mexico, 21-15, and cruised through the fourth quarter with a 16-point advantage, 54-38, and stayed strong in the final frame as the two squads both posted 17 markers each.

SD Mines made good on 24-52 attempts to shoot 46.2 percent from the field. They connected on 9-23 from the three-point line and converted 14-18 free throw shots. The Hardrockers collected 34 rebounds, 17 assists and two steals.

The Cowgirls shot 30.6 percent from the field connecting on 19-62 shots. They hit 7-27 from three-point range and 10-12 from the foul line. NMHU came down with 24 rebounds, had eight assists and seven steals.

Individually for the 'Rockers, sophomore Anna Haugen got back to her productive ways leading her team with 19 points and 10 rebounds and added three assists. Junior Taylor Molstad tacked on 15 points, five rebounds and four assists while both freshman Ryan Weiss and sophomore Cooper Courtney both cashed in for 13 markers.

SD Mines improved its overall record to 10-5 on the season and 5-4 in the RMAC. Next up, the Lady 'Rockers are back home this weekend to face Adams State on Friday and Fort Lewis University Saturday afternoon.