RAPID CITY, SD – South Dakota Mines Women’s Basketball stayed perfect in the RMAC after defeating Colorado Christian 63-60 on Thursday night.
To start the game, the Cougars outscored the Hardrockers 20-17 in the first quarter. South Dakota Mines began the game with 11 points in the first three minutes to go up 11-3. However, a 9-0 run brought the Cougars back within one point. Colorado Christian went on an 8-3 run to end the quarter.
Both teams scored 14 points in the second quarter. Colorado Christian went up 28-20 until Addison Miranda and Lauren both drained three-pointers. To end the first half, the Hardrockers recorded a 5-0 run to make the score 31-34.
South Dakota Mines outscored Colorado Christian 22-15 in the third quarter to go up 53-49. Two straight buckets out of the half made it 35-34 early. The Hardrockers went on an 8-0 run in the middle of the quarter to make the score 46-40. CCU tied it up until the Hardrockers went on another 6-0 run as they led by four at the end of the quarter.
CCU fell to the Hardrockers 63-60 after a failed comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. The Cougars tied the game 60-60 with 50 seconds left. Savea Mansfield drove in for a layup to give the Hardrockers a two-point lead with 25 seconds left. Alexis Backhaus made a free throw to seal the win for South Dakota Mines.
Mansfield totaled 21 points on 8-for-14 field goal shooting for the Hardrockers. Morning Grace Spotted Bear picked up a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Miranda made three shots from beyond the arc and Emma Martin recorded seven points.
The Hardrockers shot 35.8% from the field and 22.7% from deep. In total, they had 26 rebounds, 22 points in the paint and 16 points off 19 turnovers.
This win continues the best start for South Dakota Mines in the NCAA Division II era. The Hardrockers are 4-5 overall and 3-0 in the RMAC, their best RMAC record through three games in program history. They are tied with Adams State for first place in the RMAC.
What’s Next
South Dakota Mines stays at home to take on CSU Pueblo on Saturday at 1 p.m. Following that contest, they will go on the road until mid-January, beginning with Nebraska Kearney on Dec. 21.
