RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines played well most of the night and was strong defensively, but a poor 4
th quarter wound up being too much to over come as they fell to the Roadrunners.
How It Happened –
The first quarter was competitive with the Hardrockers getting out to an early 7-2 lead after an offensive rebound and up-and-under from
Naomi Hidalgo was followed by a
Ryan Weiss three-pointer. MSU Denver fought back to take a 14-10 lead into the second quarter.
Early in the second, MSU Denver got out to an 8-point lead after a Maggie Justinak jumper. Later a technical foul called on Mya Jones would allow for the Hardrocker a 3-point possession, cutting the deficit to 18-13. Later, a Hidalgo jumper followed by a hustle play by Sydney Durtsche causing a jump ball gave the Hardrockers the ball back, down 22-19. MSU Denver would get some momentum back, going into the locker room with a 28-21 lead.
In the third
Piper Bauer hit a three to get South Dakota Mines closer, down 4, 32-28. An and-1 by
Madelyn Heiser off another defensive play by Durtsche, bringing the Hardrockers to within three, 34-31. Out of the media timeout, Bauer would tie it up at 34 with another three. Ending the third,
Melissa Johnstone hit a three, tying the game at 40.
MSU Denver started the 4
th outscoring the Hardrockers 7-2 and would be able to continue to keep the Hardrockers at arm's length, going up 10 after an Allie Navarette three-point play with 4:35 to go. MSU Denver was able to maintain that and claim a 63-51 victory.
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 11 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.
