GOLDEN, Colo. - Titus Reed's career-high 21 points and a big second-half by Brendan Sullivan pushed Colorado School of Mines past MSU Denver in a defensive-minded 61-52 win.

The Orediggers (12-7, 8-4 RMAC) outscored the Roadrunners (9-9, 5-7 RMAC) 34-25 in the second half after it was tied at the break, but had to hold off several charges by the visitors to earn the win.

Reed drained four three-pointers and also snagged five rebounds to set his career high in scoring, while Sullivan was just shy of a double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Christian Wilson-Poole scored a team-high 13 for the Roadrunners as Gaqrrett Carter pitched in 10.

The start of the game was wild as Mines scored the first 11 points and MSU Denver the next 11. Neither team would lead by more than a bucket after that, however, as they went into the half tied 27-27. 

Mines began the second half the same way they started the first, with a huge 13-0 run giving them control of the game and a lead they wouldn't relinquish. A technical foul on Druce Asah after time expired in the first half led to two Titus Reed free throws to begin the second, and Mines built on that with back-to-back threes by Sullivan and Reed as part of the run to lead 40-27. 

MSU Denver chipped away but never got closer than five points after a Wilson-Poole three-pointer with 5:39 left; Reed answered that with his own three, and Mines went 8-for-10 at the line in the last four minutes to prevent the Roadrunners from getting a chance.

NOTABLES
- MSU Denver was held to .290 shooting in the second half to Mines' .409. MSUD ended up .333 for the game; Mines was .383.
- The Orediggers edged the Roadrunners 37-35 on the boards. Sullivan's nine led the team with Michael Glen collecting eight. 
- Mines was an outstanding 17-of-19 at the line led by Reed's 7-for-7 night. MSU Denver was 8-of-11. 
- Mines overcame 18 turnovers as MSU Denver had 12 steals.
- Eight blocks by the Orediggers marked their season high in an RMAC game.
- The Orediggers held MSU Denver's leading scorer, Druce Asah, to just two points before he fouled out on a charge drawn by Sullivan with 4:54 left in the game.
- Missing Mason Baker for the second straight game, Mines handed Thurman Knowles his first career start at the point.
- Kobi Betts scored 10 points with six rebounds, two assists, and a block in 25 minutes off the bench.
- Austin Means, who has struggled through injuries all season, made his first appearance since Dec. 6 and scored two points with two steals in five minutes.
- Mines improved to 41-36 all-time in the series and won their fourth in a row over MSU Denver.

NEXT UP
Mines hosts Chadron State Saturday at 7 p.m.