RAPID CITY, S.D. --- On Friday night, the Hardrocker women's basketball team took on a tough Adams State squad, and played very well, but it wasn't enough as the Hardrockers fell in an exciting battle that went into overtime.
How it Happened – The offenses started slow in the first quarter, with the Hardrockers getting the first basket almost five minutes in on a
Madelyn Heiser basket. Going into the media timeout, South Dakota Mines held a 5-3 lead. The offenses would pick up and a 5-0 Fort Lewis run would give the Grizzlies a 16-11 lead and force a Hardrocker timeout. Out of the timeout, the 'Rockers would end the quarter with five unanswered to go into the second deadlocked at 16.
The two teams would go back and forth in the second quarter with
Lauren Herman hitting a three to give the 'Rockers a 26-23 lead, but Adams State would come right back, taking a two-point lead on an Elaina Watson and-1. For the remainder of the first half, the two teams would go back and forth, but Adams State would hold a 35-32 lead.
With 7:29 to play in the third, Darlisha Reid was charged with a personal foul and technical foul, resulting in two made free throws from
Piper Bauer. On the same possession, Heiser would beat her defender and hit a runner off the glass, taking a 40-39 lead. The two teams would trade a couple of three-pointers, with
Piper Bauer tying it up at 46 with under-5 minutes to go in the quarter. Riahana Davis would answer for the Grizzlies, retaking a 49-46 lead. Going into the fourth quarter, Adams State held a 53-51 lead.
The two defenses would buckle down early in the fourth, and the Hardrockers led 56-55 with 6:52 to play. With 4:57 to play, the Hardrockers would dive on the ball twice with great effort from
Lauren Herman and
Naomi Hidalgo to retain possession, but could not cash in, holding onto a 1-point lead until Kiiyani Anitielu gave the Grizzlies the lead back. Later, Herman would hit a three, followed by a
Bailey Johnson basket, but with 1:22 to play the two teams were tied at 63. The Hardrockers would get a putback from Hidalgo after a pair of offensive rebounds to give them a two-point lead. With 21 seconds left, a turnover and a foul would send Davis of the Grizzlies to the free throw line and she would tie it up. With 5.5 seconds to go, Adams State had possession, but the Hardrockers got a stop, and we would head to overtime.
With just over 3:30 to play in the extra session, South Dakota Mines would take the lead on a Bauer three-pointer, 68-67. Later, two free throws from
Sydnee Durtsche expanded the lead to 72-69 with 1:50 to play. The Grizzlies would take it back with two free throws of their own from Elaina Watson. Another free throw expanded the Grizzly lead to 74-72. Down 2, a.
Madelyn Heiser three didn't connect and were forced to foul. One was made, but the Hardrockers turned it over, sending Adams State to victory, 77-72.
Notes – Piper Bauer led the team, scoring 21 points…
Sydnee Durtsche and the Hardrockers controlled the glass as she led the team with 15 rebounds, and as a team held a 50-32 advantage…
Madelyn Heiser also got to double figures, scoring 12 points.
Up Next – The Hardrockers have their final home game tomorrow afternoon as they honor
Bailey Johnson for senior night, with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
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.
