DENVER, Colo. --- After an offensive explosion in the first half, the South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team had a sluggish third quarter which allowed the MSU Denver Roadrunners to overcome a nine-point deficit and surge forward for a 69-60 win during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup Saturday in Denver, Colo.

The Hardrockers came charging out of the gate and quickly took control of the game. The visitors took a 14-6 lead after the first quarter and then extended their advantage to 11 points midway through the second period.

At halftime, SD Mines held a nine-point edge, 30-21.

The Roadrunners set the pace in the second half and went on a 10-0 run in the opening two minutes of the third quarter. The Hardrockers shook off the barrage, and got back to playing their game, but Metro's momentum was tough to deal with. At the end of the third period, the home team outscored SD Mines 30-14 and led by seven, 51-44.

In the final frame, SD Mines was able to chip away at the MSUD's and got the deficit down to three points with just under three minutes to play, but the Roadrunners turned up the heat and pulled away down the stretch to take the win.

After shooting 47.8 percent in the first half, the Hardrockers closed out the game with 40.4 percentage from the field. They hit 21-52 shots, including 6-19 from three-point range. The visitors tacked on 12-17 from the free throw line, came down with 30 rebounds, recorded eight assists and four steals.

The Roadrunners shot 55.6 in the second half and were 46.9 percent for the game. MSU Denver made good on 30-64 attempts including just 2-11 from behind the arch. They converted 7-10 from the foul line, nabbed 38 rebounds, 16 assists, six steals and two blocks.

Sophomore Anna Haugen had a double-double on the night for SD Mines with 12 points and 13 rebounds to go along with one assist. Sophomore Sami Steffeck also had 12 points on the night while senior Payton Humpal contributed with 11 markers and sophomore Cooper Courtney added 10.

The Roadrunners (16-7, 12-5) were paced by Georgia Ohrdorf with 26 points and J'Nae Squires-Horton added 14.

With the loss, the Hardrockers fall to 14-9 on the season and 9-8 in the RMAC. Next up, SD Mines will play host to Black Hills State Tuesday night at the King Center in Rapid City with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.