SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team put four players in double figures and used a plus-seven rebounding margin to overcome 17 turnovers and defeat home-standing Western New Mexico, 69-59, in the conference opener for both schools on Friday evening. 

Mines (5-0, 1-0 RMAC) shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from the perimeter in the first half to race out to a 37-24 advantage. The Orediggers limited WNMU (0-5, 0-1 RMAC) to just 36.4 percent shooting in the contest, including an 18.2 percent mark from the perimeter in leading the contest from start to finish. 

Senior Brian Muller led the team in scoring once again after finishing with 14 points on a 6-of-12 shooting effort, including a 2-of-6 mark from 3-point range. The Billings, Mont., product also led the team with seven rebounds while adding two assists in 31 minutes. 

Sophomore Gokul Natesan and junior Joe Dellenbach added 12 points apiece, with Dellenbach finishing a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, including 3-of-3 from the perimeter. He also tied for the team lead with three assists and added four rebounds and two blocks on the defensive side. 

Natesan was 4-of-13 from the floor, 2-of-7 from long range and 2-of-2 from the foul line in a team-high 32 minutes on the floor. The Santa Clara, Calif., product tied for the team lead with three of Mines' 14 assists while and tied for the team lead with two steals as well. 

Sophomore Caleb Waitsman was the fourth player in double figures with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while adding six rebounds, three blocks and two steals on the defensive end. 

Senior Trevor Ritchie finished 3-of-6 from the floor on the way to nine points from his guard position. The Portland, Ore., native added four rebounds, two assists and a block as well in the win. 

Mines will continue its weekend action on Saturday with a matchup against New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M.