RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team bounced back from a Friday night overtime loss and and handed the University of Colorado Colorado Springs a 74-58 victory during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at Saturday night at the King Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.  

Both teams traded leads in the first half with UCCS controlling the lead for nearly 13 minutes.  SD Mines finished the final five minutes of the first half outscoring UCCS 15-3 to take a 38-30 halftime lead.

The Mountain Lions (4-13, 3-8 RMAC) came out on fire in the opening stanza, making 9-of-14 from the floor for 64.3 percent.  UCCS cooled off in the second quarter, hitting just 4-of-15 (26.7 percent).  Desiree Pierson, Ellie Moore and Tatum Tellin each scored four points in the first quarter and combined to make 6-of-7 field goals.

SD Mines (6-9, 4-7 RMAC) edged the Mountain Lions in the second half, outscoring UCCS 36-28.  Seventeen of the Hardrockers 25 free throws in the game came in the second half.  The 'Rockers made 17-of-25 from the charity stripe in four quarters of action, attempting 16 more free throws than UCCS (6-of-9).

After shooting nearly 65 percent in the first quarter, the Mountain Lions closed the game hitting 24-of-59 for 40.7 percent, and 4-of-15 from three-point range (26.7 percent).

The Hardrockers were led by Ryan Weiss' 21 points and five rebounds. Cooper Courtney had a great game with a season high 17 points, three rebounds and one assist. Melissa Johnstone contributed with 13 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Sami Steffeck tacked on nine markers.

The Hardrockers shot 43.6 percent from the floor (24-of-55) and 42.9 percent from long range (9-of-21).