RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Women's Basketball fell to CSU Pueblo 60-70 to close out the first RMAC slate of the season.
The ThunderWolves outscored the Hardrockers 9-8 in the first quarter. South Dakota Mines' only field goal came with 1:18 left in the quarter. The rest of the Hardrockers points came at the free throw line.
In the second quarter, the Hardrockers were outscored 19-14.
Emma Martin's layup midway through the quarter tied the game at 18-18. Both teams traded points until CSU Pueblo made two three-pointers at the end of the quarter to go up 28-22 at halftime.
CSU Pueblo went up 53-42 after winning the third quarter 25-20. The ThunderWolves made four three-pointers in the quarter. With a Hardrocker 15-point deficit,
Savea Mansfield and
Carolina Ruiz Molina combined for a 6-0 run to make it a nine-point game. The ThunderWolves made it 53-42 at the end of the quarter.
Even though the Hardrockers won the fourth quarter 18-17, the ThunderWolves won the game 70-60 at the King Center. Three
Addison Miranda free throws brought the score down to 51-57. CSU Pueblo went on a 9-3 run right after that. That lead held as the ThunderWolves topped the Hardrockers to close out the weekend.
Mansfield led the Hardrockers with 17 points and five rebounds. She was 4-for-9 from the field and 9-for-9 at the free throw line.
Morning Grace Spotted Bear picked up 14 points and two steals. Miranda totaled 12 points and three steals.
South Dakota Mines shot 38.6% from the field and 15.8% from beyond the arc. They had 26 points in the paint and 12 points off turnovers.
The Hardrockers dropped to 4-6 overall and 3-1 in the RMAC following the loss. They are still off to their best conference start in NCAA DII history.
What's Next
South Dakota Mines will travel to Nebraska Kearney on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. CT. After playing at Minnesota Crookston on Jan. 4, the Hardrockers continue RMAC play at MSU Denver on Jan. 8.
