AUSTIN, Texas - Colorado School of Mines nearly erased a huge second-half deficit, but couldn't catch Lubbock Christian as they fell 82-73 in the NCAA First Round at St. Edward's University to end their season.

Ben Sonnefeld put the Orediggers (25-6) on his back with a career-best 37-point, 9-rebound game as he nearly led them out of a 24-point hole in the second half. Down 60-37 with 12:04 remaining, Mines outscored the Chaps 28-12 over the next seven minutes to cut the deficit to seven before LCU hung on to win.

The Chaps (21-9) put all five starters in double figures led by Isaac Asrat's 21 and a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double by center Brennan Fowler.

"They played a terrific, fabulous game," said head coach Pryor Orser. "For whatever reason, we didn't play well and shoot the ball well... You either have it or you don't this time of year."

Mines suffered dismal starts in both halves, shooting just .379 in the first as Lubbock Christian built a 44-29 halftime lead that ballooned to as much as 54-30 early in the second half as Mines started 1-for-8. That was Sonnefeld's cue as the redshirt senior dropped 20 of his 37 in the final 15 minutes of the game.

"I knew usually when I score and get into double figures we're in a good spot," Sonnefeld said. "As they kept going down the basket got bigger and bigger, I just tried to stay aggressive."

Sonnefeld scored six straight points to spark the Mines comeback, and an 8-0 run capped by buckets from Sullivan and Mason Baker cut the deficit to 61-47. Ben Boone and Sonnefeld canned three-pointers in a later 8-1 stretch to get the deficit to single digits for the first time since early in the first half, 66-57, with 5:50 left, and free throws from Baker and Sullivan got Mines as close as seven at 68-61.

The Chaps, however, did just enough to hold off Mines as Kobe Thompson and Fowler delivered foul shots around another Sonnefeld three. LCU did not score a basket in the final 4:52 of the game but went 12-of-14 at the line in the final four minutes to keep Mines at bay.

Orser paid tribute to his seniors, particularly Sonnefeld and Clare, who returned for redshirt senior seasons despite having job offers already on the table. Clare returned from a season-ending injury in 2018 to start all 31 games at center while Sonnefeld guided a young team at point; both men earned all-RMAC honors. 

"These two guys could have walked," Orser said. "But they love the game and they came back and played. I'm so thankful for what they've given the program and given the Colorado School of Mines."

NOTABLES
- Sonnefeld's 37 points were the most ever by an Oredigger in the NCAA Tournament and the most in any game since Gokul Natesan scored 38 against Colorado Mesa in the 2015-16 season.
- Sonnefeld ended an exceptional career with 1,257 points and 458 assists, the latter standing as the second-most all-time by an Oredigger. The four-year point guard started his 127th career game Friday night. 
- Ben Clare wrapped up his Mines career with 836 points and 516 rebounds.
- Mines was making its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the RMAC regular-season title. The Orediggers were the third seed facing sixth-seeded LCU.
- Lubbock Christian advances to face the host St. Edward's, who won a nail-biting 82-81 game over Angelo State.
- Mines shot a season-high 39 three-pointers sinking 11 as Sonnefeld canned a career-high seven (7-for-14). 
- Sonnefeld was 12-for-22 overall and 6-for-7 at the line.
- Michael Glen had three blocks to go with seven points and seven rebounds.
- LCU outrebounded Mines 40-36.
- The Chaps shot .463 for the game, held to .364 in the second half. Mines was .355 overall for the game. 
- Foul shooting was key for both teams as LCU was 25-for-31 and Mines 18-for-22, all in the second half.