DENVER – Colorado School of Mines went up big early and never looked back, earning a 73-51 bounceback win at rival MSU Denver on Friday.

The Orediggers (8-3, 3-2 RMAC) dealt the Roadrunners (8-3, 4-1 RMAC) their first league loss. MSU Denver was receiving votes in this week's NABC coaches' poll. The win was much-needed by Mines after dropping road contests at Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines last weekend.

Luke Schroepfer dropped in 19 points and Ben Clare led dominating post play for Mines with a career-high 15 points and eight rebounds.

Mines got out to a huge first-half lead as the Roadrunners hurt themselves with turnovers. The Orediggers scored 17 of their 32 first-half points off 12 Metro turnovers, and they held the hosts to 34.8 percent shooting to build their lead. MSU Denver cut it closer at halftime, however, as they ended the period on a 9-0 run.

The second half was more of the same for Mines as they quickly re-established a 20+ point lead. Despite less flow than the first half, the Orediggers dug in and never let MSU Denver get back into the game.

NOTABLES
- Mines held the Roadrunners to 51 points, their lowest total since a 50-point night against Rogers State to start 2015-16. No Roadrunner scored more than Cameron Williams' and Peter Moller's nine points.
- Mines ended up with 20 points off 18 Metro turnovers. Second-chance points were also key for the Orediggers as they sank 19 off 14 offensive boards.
- Schroepfer sank four three-pointers and was 5-for-5 at the line to make his game-high 19 points. Adam Laine and Caleb Waitsman added six points each, and Waitsman added five rebounds and a career-high four steals.
- Mines shot 23-of-31 at the line and 40.7 percent for the game overall. MSU Denver was only 8-of-19 at the stripe and shot 37.3 percent overall.

NEXT UP
Mines visits UCCS for a 7:30 p.m. start on Saturday.