LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- South Dakota Mines kept the game close for three quarters, before a 15-0 stretch pushed by
Piper Bauer scoring 13 in the final frame pushed the Hardrocker lead to 62-46, eventually leading to victory.
How It Happened –
In the first quarter,
Naomi Hidalgo powered the Hardrockers, scoring 4 of the first 6 points, but neither team got out to a big lead, with the game tied at 9 at the first timeout with 4:45 to go in the first.
Bailey Johnson would hit a three ending the first quarter with the game tied at 14.
Early in the second quarter, the Hardrockers would get a three-point play from
Ryan Weiss, giving South Dakota Mines a 20-17 lead. The pace would pick up with Jordyn Lewis leading the Cowgirls, and Johnson leading South Dakota Mines. Going into half, the Cowgirls held a 29-28 lead.
In the opening minutes of the third, Aja Scott hit a three to give New Mexico Highlands a 40-35 lead. Later in the quarter, three's by
Piper Bauer and Weiss would tie the game at 42, but going into the 4
th, New Mexico Highlands held a slim, 44-42 lead.
To start the 4
th, the Hardrockers would get 5 straight points from
Makenna Bodette and Bauer, forcing a Cowgirl timeout. Bauer would catch fire, hitting another two threes', expanding the Hardrocker lead to 55-46. She had 13 in the 4
th quarter. All told, the Hardrocker run would stretch to 15-0, putting the game out of reach, leading 62-46 and ending with their 5
th straight win by a score of 71-54.
Notes – Ryan Weiss, in her last game led the team with 14 points, and set a new career high, grabbing 14 rebounds…Weiss also led the team with 4 steals…
Bailey Johnson dished 4 assists to lead the team…
Piper Bauer scored 13 points in the 4
th to push a 15-0 run that sealed the Hardrocker win.
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.
