GOLDEN, Colo. - Michael Glen's career game paced a wire-to-wire victory for Colorado School of Mines as they took down #14 Fort Lewis, 79-68, at Lockridge Arena.

The suddenly red-hot Orediggers (19-6, 13-6 RMAC) won their fourth in a row as they pushed themselves into a tie for the third RMAC Tournament slot. The Skyhawks (21-4, 17-3 RMAC) remained in first place by a half-game over Westminster.

Glen was simply superb as the freshman poured in 27 points, and Luke Schroepfer drained 20. It was Mines' defense, however, that stole the show as they held FLC to 41.8 percent shooting overall and only 32 percent in the first half to build their lead.

Mines started the game in control with buckets by Adam Laine and the first of four Schroepfer three-pointers, but took control late in the half on a 10-4 run that started with a Zach Rusk trifecta and ended with another from Schroepfer to lead 23-15. A 12-2 spurt late in the first half build the largest lead of the game at 14 points as Glen sparked the run with a three and a thunderous two-handed jam off Ben Sonnefeld's long pass.

The Mines defense bent but did not break early in the second half, but FLC chipped away and eventually found themselves down only four, 68-64, with 3:12 left after an extended 16-7 stretch nearly erased the double-digit Mines lead. The Orediggers would end the game outscoring the Skyhawks 11-4, though, as Glen hit a crucial three-pointer with 2:10 left before Mines went 7-for-8 at the line in the final 1:23 to seal the win.

NOTABLES
- It was Mines' fourth straight win over the Skyhawks. All four wins came with FLC nationally ranked.
- The win was crucial towards Mines' postseason hopes as they came into the weekend ranked 10th in the South Central regional rankings, with Fort Lewis fourth.
- Mines held Fort Lewis' leading scorer, Rasmus Bach (14.6 ppg) to only three points, all coming at the line, as he was 0-for-5 from the floor.
- Fort Lewis had only one three-pointer, which didn't come until there was 1:51 left in the game. Mines shot 10-for-22 from beyond the arc, including Schroepfer's 4-for-8 clip and Glen going 3-for-4.
- Glen's 27 was his first career 20+ point game; his previous high was 19 at New Mexico Highlands last month. The true freshman was 8-for-11 overall, 8-for-8 at the line, and 3-for-4 from range as he also snared nine rebounds and had three assists and two blocks.
- Ben Sonnefeld flirted with a triple-double, scoring seven with eight assists and 10 rebounds.
- Duke Douglas was a defensive spark with three blocks for Mines. The Orediggers had eight stuffs overall.
- Daniel Hernandez led FLC with 21 points.

NEXT UP
Mines will play its home finale Saturday night, hosting New Mexico Highlands at 7 p.m.