Colorado School of Mines saw its season come to an end in the NCAA Tournament First Round as a fast start by Tarleton State was too much to overcome in an 83-61 loss.
Mines found itself in an early hole after missing its first nine field goal attempts before a Joe Dellenbach three-pointer got them off the zero at the 11:03 mark. By that time, however, the Texans had built a double-digit lead that grew to as much as 16 later in the half.
The Oredigger chipped away and got the lead down to nine after a 6-0 run capped by Natesan's first basket of the game, but TSU ended the half on a 7-3 spurt to lead 35-20 at the break.
The Texans (22-8) continued to push the tempo in the second half, finding key buckets every time Mines threatened to climb back in. A pair of Caleb Waitsman free throws cut the lead to 11 at 15:02, but Tarleton answered with four straight points from EJ Reed; a later Waitsman jumper again brought it to 11 before Chantz Chambers hit a three to spark another run. Ultimately, it was an 11-0 Texan run late in the half that sealed the win, blowing the game open with a 69-46 lead at the 5:35 mark.
NOTABLES
- The Orediggers (24-8) were making their sixth NCAA appearance, all since 2010. It was the first time they had faced Tarleton State in the postseason.
- Natesan led Mines with 14 points. Waitsman had 13 points, all in the second half.
- Senior Garrett Loew ended his career with a fine nine-point, two-rebound effort off the bench. Classmate Joe Dellenbach had six points - all from three-pointers - and grabbed a board in 25 minutes.
- Mines was held to 38.1 percent shooting overall, including a season-low 26.3 percent in the first half. Tarleton was an even 50 percent from the floor including 8-of-24 from three and 13-of-16 at the line.
- The Orediggers did have a good night at the stripe, making 25-of-31 led by Natesan's 8-of-8 performance.
- Natesan ends the season with 647 points, which ranks sixth-most all-time by an Oredigger and most since Mines all-time scoring leader Raul Verela scored 669 in 1995-96. His 67 steals end as the second-most ever in a Mines season.
- EJ Reed scored a game-high 19 points, one of four Texans in double figures along with Chantz Chambers (14), Romond Jenkins (14), and Charles Hill (12).
- TSU controlled the glass 36-26, including 13 offensive boards.
- Tarleton advances to face eighth-seeded Lubbock Christian, an overtime upset winner against the host Midwestern State. Also advancing were Fort Lewis and Angelo State.
QUOTABLES
"Tarleton was just outstanding. Their energy and defense to start the game took us out of everything. It was a situation where it was hard for us to match up with them." - Coach Pryor Orser on Tarleton's hot start
"I'm super proud of our team. We hung in and battled. We just couldn't get over the hump. There was always a big rebound or a big shot." - Orser on Mines' never-say-die attitude
"Throughout the year, we've had some rough patches and that's helped us know we can stay in it and stick together as a team." - senior Garrett Loew on Mines' resiliency after the early deficit
"These guys have been great leaders and role models and mentors for the younger guys on our team." - Orser on the impact seniors Dellenbach and Loew had on the team this year
(Photo courtesy Michael Ainsworth)
