RAPID CITY, S.D. – After splitting a pair of games last weekend, the South Dakota Mines Women's basketball team is back at it this weekend, beginning a three-game homestand.
First up is Thursday, as they take on Western Colorado before a matchup with Westminster on Saturday.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Western Colorado
Date/Time: Jan. 23 / 5:30 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 8-5.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Series at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines leads 3-2.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Watch Live: RMAC Network
Tickets: Ticket Central
 
Westminster
Date/Time: Jan. 25 / 1:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Westminster leads 9-2.
Streak: Westminster Won 1
Series at South Dakota Mines: Westminster leads 2-0.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Watch Live: RMAC Network
Tickets: Ticket Central
 
CRASHING THE GLASS
South Dakota Mines does a good job on the glass, outrebounding opponents by an average of 1.9 per game.  
 
The offensive glass is a strength for the 'Rockers, as they are third in the RMAC, averaging 12.2 offensive rebounds per game.
 
Over the last five games, the Hardrockers have been strong on the glass, averaging 42.2 rebounds per game and allowing just 28.8, for a margin of nearly 14 rebounds per game.
 
In conference play, the Hardrockers currently lead the league in offensive rebounds, averaging 13.6 per night.
 
With their recent success, South Dakota Mines will undoubtedly continue to move up in the league ranks.
 
STRONG FROM BEYOND THE ARC
In conference play, the Hardrockers are one of the league's top three-point shooting and defending teams.
 
SDM hits 32.5% of their threes, fourth in the RMAC, while they allow opponents to hit just 28.7% of their attempts, second-best in the league.
 
BALL MOVEMENT
The Hardrockers also do a great job of moving the ball on offense, averaging 13.5 assists per game as a team in RMAC play, the third most in the RMAC.
 
RECORD SETTER
Piper Bauer made her 277th three-pointer in a career, breaking the previous record set by Ryan Weiss, the current assistant coach, in 2022.  
 
STUFFING THE STAT SHEET
Morning Grace Spotted Bear continues to play at a high level, taking it further and picking up double-doubles in six of her last seven games.
 
On Thursday night, in the win over Fort Lewis, Spotted Bear was dominant, scoring 32 points, adding 13 rebounds, six steals, and six assists, before posting 11 points and 10 rebounds against Adams State.
 
Spotted Bear averages 17.3 points per game in conference play and 9.9 rebounds, eighth and fifth in the RMAC.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
Western Colorado is off to a good start this season at 11-4 overall and 6-2 in RMAC play.
 
They have done this mainly through their defensive play, as they allow just 56.8 points per game in RMAC play, the third-best in the league.
A big part of this success is a league-high 35.5 opponent field goal percentage.
The Mountaineers are also a strong rebounding team. In RMAC play, they allow opponents just 28.4 rebounds per game and grab 42.4 themselves. Both of those are in the top two in the league.
 
Their leading scorer is Ivey Schmidt, averaging 13.5 points per game in conference play.
 
Rachel Cockman is another strong contributor for the Mountaineers, averaging 1.13 blocks per game and 5.7 rebounds.
 
Their top shooter from distance is Jayde Tschritter, who is in the top five in the RMAC in three-point percentage, three-pointers made, and three-pointers per game.
 
SCOUTING WESTMINSTER
Westminster is near the bottom of the RMAC in terms of team success, as they are 3-12 overall and 2-6 in RMAC play.
 
Westminster averages 3.1 blocks per game, which is third in the RMAC. They also defend the three relatively well, allowing opponents to make 29.7% from deep, which is also fourth-best in the league.
 
Maunayia Harrigfeld is a handful as she does the dirty work for the Griffins. She averages 1.75 blocks per game, second in the league, and is also strong on the glass.
Harrigfeld is second in the RMAC, averaging 7.9 defensive rebounds per game, and fourth in the RMAC, averaging 10.3 rebounds overall.
 
Teulia Nawahine and Abby Conlee are their leading scorers, averaging 12.1 and 10 points per game.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the two at home this weekend, the Hardrockers have regional rivals up next. They will take on Chadron State at home on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 5:30 before heading up the road to take on Black Hills State on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 5:00.
 
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines women's basketball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockerwbb), and you can also follow on Facebook at Hardrocker Women's Basketball. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram, and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
 
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 13 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members and four associate members located in California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.