Everything Clicks For Mines In 88-65 Win Over Highlands

2/13/2016 12:00:00 AM

Box Score

A record-setting night by Gokul Natesan and a shut-down defensive effort led Colorado School of Mines to a key RMAC win over New Mexico Highlands, 88-65, for their sixth straight victory.

Avenging a loss to the Cowboys from earlier in the season, the orediggers (18-6, 13-5 RMAC) continued their hot offensive output while holding the RMAC's top shooting team to 65 points and 39.6 percent from the floor.

Natesan snagged a school-record nine steals to go with 27 points and five assists, while Luke Schroepfer burst out for a career-high 20.

The first half stayed close, but Mines took a 38-32 lead into the locker room that quickly turned into double digits when they opened the second on a 9-4 run.

The turning point with 14 minutes left after a steal and fastbreak jam by Ron Lawton. Lawton tried to steal the ensuing inbound but fouled Natesan, then was assessed a technical to give him his fourth and fifth fouls. That changed the complexion of the game entirely, as Mines hit an 18-4 run after that to turn a relatively close game into a 71-49 scoreline.

Highlands never recovered, and Mines won going away leading by as much as 26 in the final minutes.

NOTABLES

  • The win, combined with Colorado Mesa's loss to Black Hills State, keeps Mines in a second-place tie with MSU Denver, but the Orediggers have any potential tiebreak over the Roadrunners. Both teams are two back of Fort Lewis with four games to play.

  • Despite playing against a significantly bigger starting line-up, Mines dominated the glass to the tune of 36-25.

  • Natesan surpassed his previous career steals high of seven (which was tied for the Mines record) with his nine thefts, which ranks as the third-most ever in the RMAC record book, as well. Natesan was 12-for-15 at the line and sank three three-pointers.

  • Schroepfer had a key bucket every time Mines needed one, shooting 5-for-8 with 3-for-4 three-point shooting and a 7-for-7 foul shooting night.

  • Caleb Waitsman was a rebound short of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.

  • Mines shot a solid 51.9 percent overall and 8-for-18 (44.4%) for three. Foul shooting was key for both teams as Mines was 24-of-28 and Highlands 21-of-24.

  • Redshirt freshman Travis Tomer had a career night in the closing minutes, dropping a baseline dunk, a three-pointer, and a block in two minutes.


NEXT UP
Mines hosts Western New Mexico Saturday night at 7 p.m.




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