GOLDEN, Colo. - A defensive showcase by MSU Denver dealt #6 Colorado School of Mines its first loss of the year as the Roadrunners held off Mines to win 67-60.
The Orediggers (10-1, 4-1 RMAC) got a career-high 31 points from
Mason Baker, but were held to a season-low 34.6 percent shooting by the Roadrunners (5-6, 4-1 RMAC). The loss snapped a 24-game home win streak for Mines.
Baker drained five three-pointer and went 8-for-8 at the line to score 31, including 19 in the first half.
Michael Glen had 10 to go with eight rebounds. MSU Denver received a terrific game from Cameron Williams, who scored 26 points, and Peter Moller added 12 as Boinama Keita had eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Orediggers led 26-23 at the half after a physical and defensive-minded first half, but MSU Denver wrapped a 13-3 run around the break to tie it up, and later took the lead on a 14-2 run mid-half. Their advantage ballooned to as much as 11 after Keita's dunk with 4:24 to go, but Mines didn't quit with a 7-3 run in the closing minutes to cut the deficit to 63-60 with 39 seconds left following Baker's pair of free throws.
The Roadrunners put it away with Moller's 15-footer with 12 ticks left, forcing Mines to foul, and Allec Williams's foul shots sealed the win with three seconds to go.
Mines will look to bounce back against UCCS Sunday at 3 p.m.