RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines women's basketball was back home Friday night to play the Griffins from Westminster College. The Hardrockers would win in a nail-biter 70-69 after being down as much as 10 points during the game. This was the second win in a row for the 'Rockers.
How it Happened – The first quarter between the Hardrockers and Griffins started slowly as both teams struggled to find the bottom of the hoop. The Griffins took an early 8-2 lead halfway through the quarter.
Savea Mansfield's jumper and free throw cut the lead down to three 8-5 with four minutes left. The Griffins increased their lead to six, but Syndee Durtsche's layup and
Bailey Johnson's free throw at the end of the quarter brought the game to 16-13.
The Hardrockers took the lead in the second quarter on a
Lauren Herman 3-pointer 18-17. Herman drained another three to tie the game 21-21 with 5:48 left in the half. Johnson's layup gave the Hardrockers the lead with 2:30 left in the half. The Griffins hit two free throws at the end of the half to take a 27-25 lead. Johnson's eight points paced the 'Rockers in the first half.
The Griffins came out in the second half on a 10-2 run in the first three minutes to take a 10-point lead 37-27. The 'Rockers went on a 6-0 run to get within four 37-33. But the Griffins would bounce back going up seven with 2:00 left on the clock. The 'Rockers battled back and cut the deficit to four points, 46-42 at the end of the third.
The 'Rockers took the lead early in the fourth when
Piper Bauer drained a 3-pointer. The Hardrockers led 47-46 with 8:30 left in the game. The Griffins would regain the lead 53-52 at the 6:42 mark in the quarter. Bauer's three gave the 'Rockers back to lead 55-53. South Dakota Mines and Westminster traded baskets the next couple of minutes and at the 3-minute mark, the Hardrockers held a two-point lead 59-57. A technical foul and personal foul at 1:23 on the Griffins sent Bauer to the line for four free throws. Bauer would make all four to give the 'Rockers a 63-61 lead. Johnson's floating jumper with 40 seconds left put the Hardrockers up 65-61. Mansfield made two free throws with 16 seconds left to give the 'Rockers a 70-66 advantage.
Megan Alexander was huge down the stretch, grabbing three offensive rebounds to help the Hardrockers to a 70-69 win.
Notes – Four 'Rockers were in double digits in scoring for the game...Johnson and Bauer each had 15 points, while
Megan Alexander and Mansfield added 10 each…
Madelyn Heiser grabbed six rebounds in the win, while Bauer added six, and Alexander added five, including three critical offensive rebounds…Heiser added five assists, while Bauer added four steals.
Up Next – The Hardrockers will be back in action tomorrow afternoon hosting Colorado Mesa University. Tip-off will be at 4:00 PM
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.
