COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- The South Dakota Mines women's basketball team picked up its third-straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night after defeating the UCCS Mountain Lions, 72-61, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A good offensive start proved to be the key to the win for the 'Rockers, as the visitors established an 11-point advantage in the first quarter, 27-16, and then went into halftime up by 13 markers, 44-31. The second half was pretty much a stale mate, with home team outscoring SDM, 30-28.

The Hardrockers finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field Friday night, sinking 28-60 attempts, including a 9-25 from behind the arch and hit 7-10 on free throws. They came down with 36 rebounds, tallied 14 rebounds, 13 steals and one block. UCCS made good on 23-58 baskets and shot 40 percent from the field, converted 10-20 from downtown, and was 5-7 on free throws. The Mountain Lions brought in 26 rebounds, recorded 14 assists, 13 steals and five blocks.

Individually, the 'Rockers were led in scoring by Ryan Weiss with 18 points, seven rebounds, five steals and two assists. Naomi Hidalgo contributed with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Michaela Shaklee added 13 points, two rebounds, three steals and two assists.