GOLDEN – No. 14/14 Colorado School of Mines men's basketball connected on 20 or more field goals in each half and steamrolled past visiting New Mexico Highlands, 109-63, on Friday at Lockridge Arena.

Mines (21-3, 17-3 RMAC) went out to a 14-0 lead in the initial 3:29 and ceased to slow as the men generated season-bests in points, field goals (41), three-point field goals (14), assists (23), free throw percentage (.929; 13-of-14) and steals (11).

The Orediggers shot over 60.0 percent for the fifth time, hitting 41-of-67 (.612) from the floor and 14-of-28 (.500) outside.

Sophomore Gokul Natesan shared the game-high with 25 points behind an RMAC season-best 9-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-5 along the perimeter.  

Redshirt senior Trevor Ritchie and sophomore Caleb Waitsman each turned in double-double totals; Ritchie scored 19 on 8-of-10 field goals with a game-high 10 assists, while Waitsman had 12 and a collegiate-best 15 rebounds.

Redshirt sophomore Kaan Korkmaz tied his season-high with 13 and redshirt Brian Muller added 10.

Freshman Adam Laine and redshirt sophomore Garrett Loew each netted eight off the bench.

Led by the 25 points of Jonathon Mines, NMHU (5-19, 5-15 RMAC) finished 36.2 percent (21-of-58) overall and 34.6 percent (9-of-26) on threes.

Kendrick Nichols added 14 and Kaylen Shane 10.

Holding a half-game lead in the conference race following a 68-64 loss at Fort Lewis by No. 9/12 MSU Denver, the Orediggers are home again Saturday, hosting Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. in Golden.