RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines women's basketball team faced off against the #6 ranked Buffalos of West Texas A&M on day two of the Conference Challenge in Goodell Gymnasium on Saturday night. The Hardrockers would drop their second game of the year 75-67.
How It Happened – The first quarter was a little shaky for the Hardrockers as the Buffalos grabbed an early 6-0 lead, but
Madelyn Heiser cut the lead in half on a three-pointer. The scoring was limited by the tough defense by both teams as the Buffalos led 12-7 five minutes into the quarter. West Texas would lead 20-13 at the end of the first.
The Hardrockers would inch their way back into the game when
Naomi Hidalgo scored on a layup and
Lauren Herman drained a three-pointer to cut the lead to three 25-22. With about five minutes left in the half, Bauer hit another three-pointer and the Hardrockers trailed by two 27-25. The Buffalos would score a couple of baskets late in the quarter and went into the half leading 37-30.
Piper Bauer led the Hardrockers in the first half with 11 points.
At the beginning of the second half the Hardrockers kept up with the Buffalos and Bauer hit a jumper and the score was 40-38.
Bailey Johnson's three-pointer with 6:30 left in the quarter brought the Hardrockers to within one 42-41. West Texas' Nyalam Thabach took over in the middle of the quarter using her 6'4" height advantage. The Hardrockers would trail 50-41 with 3:30 left in the third quarter. With 30 seconds left
Jansi Merz hit a hook shot to bring the Hardrockers to within five. But the Buffalos would have the lead going into the fourth quarter 56-49.
The Hardrockers kept the game close in the fourth with the Buffalos leading 67-58 with 4:36 left in the game. Bauer's three brought the Hardrockers to within seven 70-63 with 2:17 left in the game. Heiser's three with 1:15 on the clock cut the Buffalo's lead to four 70-66. The Hardrockers fought hard until the end, but the Buffalos would win the game 75-67.
Notes – Bauer led the Hardrockers with 16 points, while Hildago added 10 in the loss.
Up Next – The Hardrockers will now head east to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, S.D. on Friday and Sunday to take on Sioux Falls and Northern State.
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 10 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
