DENVER, Colo. – Following a dominant 33-12 second quarter, South Dakota Mines defeated MSU Denver 82-68 at the Auraria Events Center.
The Roadrunners outscored the Hardrockers 17-14 in the first quarter.
Morning Grace Spotted Bear scored six of the first eight points to give the Hardrockers a 6-2 lead early. They went up 14-7 midway through the quarter. The Roadrunners went on a 10-0 run the rest of the way to lead 17-14 after the first.
South Dakota Mines exploded in the second quarter, outscoring MSU Denver 33-12. With a 21-22 deficit, the Hardrockers went on a 20-2 run to go up 41-24. South Dakota Mines put up six more points at the end of the quarter to go up 47-29 after the first half.
Savea Mansfield was 7-for-9 from the field with 18 points in the first half.
The Hardrockers extended their lead after winning the third quarter 23-19. After the Roadrunners brought it down to a 12-point game, the Hardrockers went on an 8-1 run to go up 60-41.
Addison Miranda hit back-to-back three-pointers in that run. A late 6-0 run gave South Dakota Mines a 70-48 lead after three quarters.
MSU Denver attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter but fell short, giving the Hardrockers an 82-68 victory. With a Hardrockers 74-50 lead, the Roadrunners went on an 11-1 run to make it a 16-point game.
Abigail Dille hit a three-pointer with 2:05 left. South Dakota Mines limited the Roadrunners offense to win 82-68.
Mansfield led the game with 28 points. She totaled eight rebounds with 10-for-15 field goal shooting. Spotted Bear picked up her third double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Carolina Ruiz Molina recorded 11 points, nine assists and four rebounds.
The Hardrockers dished out 27 total assists, tied for the most in program history. They shot 44.4% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. South Dakota Mines also shot 93.8% from the free throw line. In total, the Rockers grabbed a season-high 43 rebounds with 11 three-pointers made and 10 steals.
What's Next
South Dakota Mines is back in action on Saturday at Colorado School of Mines at 1 p.m. They will return home on Jan. 15 to take on Fort Lewis at 5:30 p.m.
