Box Score PUEBLO, Colo. (January 15, 2016)– The Colorado State University-Pueblo women's basketball team could not overcome the defensive pressure of South Dakota School of Mines, winding up on the short end of a 55-51 final. With the loss, the Pack drops to 13-3 (8-2 RMAC), while SD Mines improved to 7-7 (4-6 RMAC).
Both teams clamped down defensively holding their opponents to less than 30 percent from the field in the first. CSU-Pueblo shot just 32.8 percent (19-of-58) from range. They are 0-3 when scoring less than 60 points this season.
Lauren Heyn (Fr., Loomis, Calif.) controlled the first quarter for the Pack. Heyn scored six points in the opening quarter as the Pack held a 12-10 lead after one. CSU-Pueblo limited SD Mines to 25% (4-for-16) from the field in the first. Heyn finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Hardrockers took control in the second. After a Pack free throw, SD Mines went on a 9-2 run to jump out to a 19-15 lead. The Pack went the first four minutes of the second without a field goal and shot just 14.3 percent (2-for14) in the second quarter. As a result, the Hardrockers held a 22-18 advantage at the break.
In the third quarter, the Pack closed the gap and tied the Hardrockers on two occasions. However, each time the Pack would tie it, SD Mines inched out in front once again as they held a 39-36 lead after three.
Ashley Piper (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa) keyed the Pack's rally with six points in the third. Piper also grabbed a pair of boards for the Pack in the third. Piper finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Tuileisu Anderson (So., Vancouver, Wash.) knocked down a pair of threes for the Pack in the third. Anderson finished with a game-high 16 points.
CSU-Pueblo held the Hardrockers scoreless for the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. The Pack claimed the first lead since early in the second, when Anderson made a layup to make it 43-42 ThunderWolves with 5:22 left in the fourth.
A Piper layup gave the Pack a three-point lead, but Megan Rohrer hit a 3-pointer for the Hardrockers that tied the game at 45-45. Anderson put the Pack back in front with a three-point play, but the Hardrockers tied it with another 3-pointer of their own.
After a Hardrocker two, Anderson sank a clutch three that put the Pack up 51-50 with 1:26 on the clock. However, SD Mines answered with a five-point run to close out the Pack 55-51.
The Pack won the rebounding battle 45-31.
Molly Rohrer (Fr. Greenwood Vilage, Colo) added two blocks for the ThunderWolves. She led the RMAC with 2.3 blocks per game entering the weekend. Rohrer also added a career-high eight rebounds.
CSU-Pueblo completes its four-game homestand Saturday when they host Black Hills State University. The opening tip is set for 5:30 p.m.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
