RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines Basketball squad played host to the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls Saturday afternoon at the King Center. The Cowgirls defeated the Hardrockers 82-67.
How it Happened – The Hardrockers started the game leading early 4-2, but the Cowgirls would go ahead 9-7 halfway through the first.
Megan Alexander drained a three to put the Hardrockers up 12-11 with 2:44 remaining. The Cowgirls would score four straight to grab the lead 18-17 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, the Hardrockers would play catch up but could not jump the Cowgirls. NMH held a two-point lead 33-31 with two minutes to go then scored six straight to go ahead 39-31. Alexander made a layup at the end of the half to bring the Hardrockers to within eight 42-34.
The Hardrockers fought back early in the third quarter when
Bailey Johnson hit a three to bring the score 47-42 in favor of the Cowgirls. The Rockers trailed 51-42 with 5:00 left but then went on a seven-point run and eventually tied the game on a
Savea Mansfield three-pointer 52-52.
Alexis Backhaus gave the Hardrockers the lead with 18 seconds left on a layup. The Hardrockers were on fire in the third scoring 22 points to lead 56-54 heading into the fourth quarter.
Juliana Aragon and the Cowgirls were too much in the fourth. They started the fourth by scoring 12 straight to take a 66-56 lead with six minutes remaining in the game.
Lauren Herman hit a three to bring the score 73-65, but the Cowgirls still had the lead, and thanks to 38 and 24 in the quarter from Aragon, the Hardrockers couldn't catch the Cowgirls as they were defeated 82-67.
Game Notes – The 'Rockers had three in double digits for scoring with Herman leading the way with 16…Alexander chipped in 13…
Piper Bauer added 11. Herman also grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Hardrockers and record a double-double.
Up Next – The Hardrockers will be on the court in two weeks when they travel to Southern Colorado to take on Fort Lewis on December 30 and Adams State on December 31.
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.
