Box Score Colorado School of Mines outlasted MSU Denver, 70-65, in another instant classic between the two rivals at the Auraria Event Center.
The Orediggers (12-5, 7-4 RMAC) earned a crucial RMAC win as a result, keeping them in the thick of the postseason tournament race at the halfway point of the conference schedule.
Caleb Waitsman had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead Mines, who broke the deadlock late in the second half to win a game that featured eight lead changes and as many ties.
Waitsman's jumper and a three-pointer from Luke Schroepfer from the corner broke open the game as part of an 8-0 Mines run after the 7:30 mark of the second. It came as the Orediggers held Metro without a field goal for 5:38 in the latter stages of the second half.
Metro chipped away and brought it within a basket at 1:11 following Brian Howard's free throws, but Waitsman took over with a jumper and two free throws to stretch the lead to seven.
Mines held on from there despite a nervy final minute; Waitsman scored five points in that span, and Natesan added two more free throws to ensure the win.
NOTABLES
- Waitsman did a bit of everything, scoring 21 points (one off his career-high) with 10 boards and a block in the final minute.
- Natesan ended with 17 points, scoring 15 of them at the line in a 15-for-18 night.
- Luke Schroepfer was there with a big shot every time Mines needed one, going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and scoring 11 in all.
- Mines turned the ball over a season-low four times and feasted on 12 Roadrunner giveaways, generating 17 points as a result.
- Metro was a perfect 17-for-17 from the line. Mines was 21-for-29.
- Mines shot 44 percent for the game to Metro's 43.8 percent.
- The win was Mines' first at MSU Denver since 2011-12.
NEXT UP
Mines returns home Nov. 22 to face CSU-Pueblo in a game to be televised live on CET Sports.
