DENVER, Colo. – The South Dakota Mines women's basketball team finished its road weekend by taking on MSU Denver on Saturday afternoon looking to get back on track with another win.
South Dakota Mines accomplished that goal by playing phenomenal defense in a 54-45 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first quarter, MSU Denver took a lead and held a 16-12 advantage as the period ended.
The second quarter was an offensive struggle for both. They combined to score just 14 points, and as they went to the locker rooms, MSU Denver held a 22-20 advantage.
In the second half, the Hardrockers were able to pick up the offense. Still, SDM continued to put the clamps on MSU Denver's offense, as the Hardrockers again allowed just 23 points in the half. Great play by
Morning Grace Spotted Bear,
Savea Mansfield,
Piper Bauer, and others allowed South Dakota Mines to get an edge.
Spotted Bear finished with 21 points, including 17 in the second half and 11 in the third quarter, helping the Hardrockers take a 37-34 advantage into the final frame.
Three straight free throws from
Alexis Backhaus in the fourth gave SDM a 42-36 advantage, which eventually stretched to 48-41 after an
Emily Thomas layup with 3:29 to play.
From there, the Hardrockers would remain in control and get a crucial offensive rebound and putback from Mansfield with 1:35 to play, stretching the lead back to seven. The lead would stay there as the Rockers earned the 54-45 victory.
NOTES
Morning Grace Spotted Bear continues to fill the stat sheet as she recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals…
Piper Bauer scored 11 points and added 7 rebounds…
Savea Mansfield scored eight and grabbed 10 boards.
UP NEXT
The Hardrocker women's basketball team continues its road trip into next week, taking on Colorado Mesa on Thursday and Western Colorado on Saturday.
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.
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, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
