RAPID CITY, S.D. --- It was tough sledding down the stretch for the South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team as the Lady Hardrockers yielded to CSU-Pueblo, 56-39, Friday night during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the King Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.

CSU-Pueblo took a 11-6 first-quarter lead and then went into halftime up by six points, 26-20.

The Thunderwolves increased their lead to nine points early in the third quarter, but the Hardrockers came charging back, erased the deficit and with 4:24 remaining in the third period, knotted the game at 34-34. CSUP regrouped and regained the edge and headed into the final frame up by seven makers, 45-38.

Fatigue got the better of the 'Rockers over the final 10 minutes as sthe visitors outscored SD Mines, 11-1, to take the conference win.

SD Mines finished the game shooting 34 percent from the field, making good on 16-47 attempt, including 3-19 from the three-point line. They were 4-6 on free throws, brought down 36 rebounds, collected 10 assists, seven steals and two blocked shots.

The Thunderwolves closed out the night shooting 35.4 percent, converting 23-65 baskets, including 4-15 from three-point range. They added 6-9 from the foul line, tallied 39 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 steals and five blocked shots.

Individually, Taylor Molstad paced the 'Rockers with 16 points, six rebounds, four asists, one steal and one blocked shot. Melissa Johnstone contributed with 10 points and five rebounds while Sami Steffeck added seven points.