ALAMOSA, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team dug deep Sunday afternoon and pulled off a much-need Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory against the Adams State Lady Grizzlies, 52-46, in Alamosa, Colorado.

It was tough sledding for both teams in the early goings  offensively, with SD Mines taking a 9-8 advantage after the first quarter. The Grizzlies were able to string a few buckets together midway through the second period and went into halftime with a slim 25-22 advantage.

The Hardrockers turned the tables on Adams State in the third quarter with a 17-9 performance and entered the final stanza up by five, 39-34, thanks to four points from freshman forward Melissa Johnstone to close out the period.

SD Mines extended their lead and led by seven points, 48-41, with 3:15 remaining in the game when the Grizzlies came charging back and closed the gap to just two points with just under a minute to go, 48-42. A heads up steal from Cooper Courtney and then some clutch free throws from Taylor Molstad and Anna Haugen down the stretch put the game out of reach and gave the 'Rockers their first RMAC win.

The 'Rockers closed out the game shooting 33.3 percent, making good on 18-54 attempts, were 3-16 from three-point range and cashed in on 13-16 from the free throw line. They came down with 34 rebounds, had eight assists, 16 steals and three blocks.

Adams State hit 18-49 attempts, had 1 5-15 performance from the three-point line, grabbed 35 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals and two blocks.

Molstad led the way for the Lady 'Rockers with nine points, seven rebounds, three steals and an assists. Haugen contributed with eight points, rebounds, three steals and an assist. Johnstone added eight markers while Courtney and Marissa Hirchert each posted seven points.