LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team broke away from the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in the second half of play Friday night during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup where the Hardrocker women defeated their hosts, 60-46, in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

The 'Rockers gains some ground in the second quarter of play on their opponents after a 16-15 first-period stalemate which favored SD Mines. The Hardrockers outscored NMHU, 12-9, and went into halftime with a slight, 28-24, advantage.

The Hardrockers got some distance in the third quarter, outscoring the home team, 17-13, and then bettered the Cowgirls, 15-9, over the final 10 minutes.

SD Mines closed out the game shooting 42.3 percent from the field, making good on 22-52 attempts, including 8-22 from the three-point line and converted 8-10 on free throws. The 'Rockers collected 33 rebounds, had 12 assists, 15 steals and one blocked shot.

The Cowgirls shot 36.6 percent from the field Friday connecting on 15-41 attempts, 6-16 from three point range and 10-17 from the free throw line. They grabbed 28 rebounds, eight assists, 10 steals and three blocks.

Sami Steffeck paced the 'Rockers with 18 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals and one blocked shot. Anna Haugen tacked on 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and one assist while Taylor Molstad contributed with 10 points, three rebounds, four steals and two assists.