RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines women's basketball team is in action in Colorado this weekend, as they take on Texas Permian Basin and West Texas A&M for Friday and Saturday afternoon matchups. 

POINT GUARDS:

Lily Peterson returns as a junior for the Hardrockers. She has appeared in 20+ games in each of her two seasons with the team, averaging just over 10 minutes per game.

Emily Thomas comes in as a freshman from Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Arapahoe High School. She was a two-time all-conference selection in high school. 

OFF-GUARDS:

The Hardrockers bring back several guards with experience for this season.  

Savea Mansfield, Madelyn Heiser, Alexis Backhaus, Piper Bauer, and Lauren Herman all return in the guard spots so it is a deep group for South Dakota Mines. 

Savea Mansfield was a big contributor as a true freshman in 2022-23, playing in all 28 games and starting in nine. She shot 40% from three-point range and averaged five points and three rebounds, numbers she looks to improve upon as a sophomore.

One of the Hardrockers' leading scorers and senior Madelyn Heiser returns and expects to be a big factor as she has been in each of the last two seasons, combining to play in 49 games and making 42 starts. She was a double-digit scorer in 2022-23, averaging 10 points per game. She shot 37.3% from three-point range last year along with averaging 4.5 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game.

Alexis Backhaus didn't play a huge role last season but saw game action in 13 games, and just under five minutes per game. 

Piper Bauer was the leading scorer last season and was one of the best three-point shooters not only in the RMAC but in all of NCAA Division II, ranking second in threes per game with 3.36 and second (among qualifiers) in the RMAC at 37%. She averaged 14.4 points per game which was 10th in the RMAC.

Lauren Herman was another freshman contributor in 2022-23, averaging just under 20 minutes per game and playing in all 28 games, starting six. She averaged 5.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

The lone incomer is Samantha Darnell who hails from Windsor, Colo. but will not play in 2023-24.

FORWARDS:

Sydnee Durtsche returns for her senior season as one of the better interior defenders and rebounders in the RMAC. She has been a significant contributor over the past two seasons, playing in 53 games, and starting in 45. In 2022-23, she averaged 7.6 rebounds per game to come in sixth in the RMAC. 

Morning Grace Spotted Bear isn't a new addition to the program but she is a new addition to the floor as she redshirted in 2022-23. Spotted Bear is a player that brings great length and the coaching staff is excited to see what she can bring. 

POSTS:

The Hardrockers boast a pair of strong posts with the return of senior, Naomi Hidalgo and sophomore, Megan Alexander. 

Hidalgo has been a weapon in the post over the past few years, but the key for her will be if she is able to stay on the court as she has battled injuries throughout her career. She has played in 87 games, and started 44 in her career, playing 17 and starting 16 in 2022-23. Last season, in playing just under 20 minutes per game, Hidalgo averaged over 8 points per game and 4 rebounds per game, posting similar numbers in each of the two years prior. 

Megan Alexander looks to take a step forward as a sophomore after playing in 24 games, averaging just over 12 minutes per game. In that limited amount of playing time, Alexander was able to average 6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. 

2023-24 SCHEDULE

The women's basketball team likes to schedule non-conference games that are challenging to prepare themselves for the gauntlet that is RMAC play. This year, the Hardrockers face off with five teams who qualified for the 2022-23 NCAA Division II Tournament and face off with six teams who won 20 or more contests. 

The Hardrockers don't get to play at home for a while, not seeing a home contest until Dec. 8 when Colorado School of Mines visits, and just two home contests in 2023. 

OPENING WEEKEND

Texas Permian Basin and West Texas A&M are on the docket for the first weekend of play for the Hardrockers. 

Texas Permian Basin finished the 2022-23 season just below .500 at 13-15, however, that was a very young squad. As a result, they return their top nine scorers from last season and 11 of 13 players from that team overall. 

Andreea Mancha and Holly Hemmeline, their two leading scorers head into their senior seasons after averaging 11.7 and 11.4 points per game. Not too far behind them was Avalon Munoz, scoring 11.2 points per game as she comes into her junior season. Alexus Quaadman averaged 10 points per game and is back as a graduate student. 

West Texas A&M was one of the teams to qualify for the NCAA tournament last season as they finished 21-11 overall.

They have gotten their season underway already, falling to RMAC member Adams State and defeating #12 Azusa Pacific. Junior, Karley Mortschenbacher was their leading scorer in those games, grabbing 28 points, but also grabbed 18 rebounds and dished 7 assists. Grace Alvarez had double digits in each game, scoring 15 and 11 for the Lady Buffs. 

LOOKING AHEAD