GOLDEN, Colo. --- The South Dakota Mines men's basketball team fell to the No. 13 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, 70-49, Friday night during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup and season opener in Golden, Colorado.

It was a close game until a four-minute scoreless stretch by the Hardrockers helped the home team extend a lead. A 9-0 run with a jumper at the 11:51 mark of the first half, and the Oredigger lead as much as 13, and went into halftime up, 33-23. Colorado School of Mines outscored the 'Rockers, 37-26 in the second half.

As a team, SDM shot 39 percent from the field, hitting 16-41 attempts, including 5-20 from three-point range. They added 12-17 on free throws, collected 35 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

The Orediggers converted 27-54 from the field to shoot 50 percent on the night and made good on 13-19 from the foul line, came down with 23 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks and 10 steals.

Individually, Kolten Mortensen led the 'Rockers in scoring with 13 points and in rebounding collecting 13 boards. Brannagh Walsh and Brevin Walter each cashed in for seven markers each.