SPEARFISH, S.D. – Despite its worst shooting performance of the season, the No. 18 Colorado School of Mines men's basketball used a plus-15 rebounding margin and 18 second-chance points to defeat Black Hills State 78-69 on Sunday afternoon at the Young Center. 

Mines (8-0, 4-0 RMAC) used a 49-to-34 rebounding advantage to offset 40.0 percent (26-of-65) shooting from the floor and just a 4-of-17 effort (23.5 percent) from the perimeter. The healthy advantage on the boards allowed the Orediggers to post an 18-to-6 advantage on second-chance points against the Yellow Jackets (4-4, 2-2 RMAC). 

Senior Luke Meisch led Mines with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double on 8-of-12 shooting. The Wichita, Kan., native led the squad in scoring during each game this weekend and averaged a healthy 20.0 points per game over the two-game stretch. 

The double-double on Sunday was Meisch's second of the season and the ninth of his career. 

Junior Brian Muller notched 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including a 2-of-6 mark from the perimeter and a 3-of-3 effort from the foul line. Entering the weekend as Mines' leading scorer, Muller notched his 19th and 20th 3-point baskets of the season on Sunday and is shooting 47.6 percent (20-of-42) from deep on the year.

Senior Brett Green recorded 13 points and four rebounds on a 4-of-10 shooting effort and classmate Will Carr closed out four Orediggers in double figures with 12 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-11 shooting. Sunday's double-double was the first for Carr while donning the Silver & Blue. 

Junior Trevor Ritchie led the team with five assists, while senior Trevor Wages added six points, nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Freshman Caleb Waitsman contributed six points and seven rebounds on 2-of-5 shooting as well. 

The Orediggers led by as much as 10 points in the first half en route to a 37-34 halftime lead. 

After the break, Mines once gain took control, going up 10 points at 44-34 with 17:44 remaining in the second half, but BHSU trimmed that lead down to one point at 52-51 with 11:24 to go. 

The squad closed the game with purpose and increased its lead to as much as 13 over the remainder of the game in improving to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. 

Mines will close out 2013 next weekend with a 7 p.m. matchup against Colorado Christian on Saturday at Lockridge Arena in Golden.