GUNNISON, Colo. --- The South Dakota Mines women's basketball team used a strong performance in the first half to go along with some clutch free throws down the stretch to hand the Western Colorado Mountaineers their first loss of the season Tuesday.

The Hardrockers defeated WCU, 72-68, during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup in Gunnison, Colorado. The two programs also played the day before in a non-conference bout where WCU outlasted the 'Rockers, 79-72.

In Tuesday's bout, South Dakota Mines took a one-point edge after the first quarter, 14-13, and then outscored the home team, 19-11, in the second period and went into halftime up by nine, 33-24. The visitors managed to stay out front by seven after the third quarter, 50-43, and hung on down the stretch to earn their third win of the season.

The Mountaineers mounted a comeback in the final frame, erasing the deficit and at the 4:09 mark and took a one-point edge, 58-57. That was short lived however, as the 'Rockers went on a 5-0 run thanks to a layup and point after from Michaela Shaklee followed by a big three-pointer from Naomi Hidalgo. The 'Rockers led 63-58 with 3:16 left to play.

The Mountaineers would not get the lead back as the performance at the foul line from the Hardrockers earned them the win. Western Colorado fell to 5-1 on the year, ending their undefeated record.

It was a very evenly matched game with South Dakota Mines shooting 51 percent from the field while Western Colorado made good on 48.1 percent of their shots. The 'Rockers cashed in for seven three-point goals while the Mountaineers tallied eight from downtown. SDM hit 13-14 from the free throw line while the home team converted 10-14.

Shaklee led the Hardrockers with a career high 24 points, including a 5-7 performance from behind the arch. She added six rebounds, four steals and two assists. Ryan Weiss cashed in for 16 points, five rebounds and assist while Hidalgo contributed with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. Makenna Bodette dished in nine markers and Melissa Johnstone had six.

Western Colorado was paced by Samantha Coleman with 19 points, Mikaela Parker tacked on 14, Jessie Erickson had 12 and Hannah Cooper contributed with 11.