GOLDEN, Colo. - Mason Baker returned to scored his 1,000th career point and lead Colorado School of Mines in an 89-61 rout of CSU-Pueblo on Friday.

The Orediggers (14-7, 10-4 RMAC) did just about everything right, splashing 14 three-pointers and blocking 12 shots as they got up big early and never let the Thunderwolves (9-11, 7-7 RMAC) into the game. 

Baker accounted for seven of those 14 outside shots as he drained 22 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting, appearing back from injury after missing the last three games. Kobi Betts scored 13 off the bench and Paul O'Leary added 12, while titus Reed and Brendan Sullivan each scored 10. Michael Glen stuffed the scoresheet with nine points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and three assists. 

David Simental led CSU-Pueblo with 17 points as the Pack were held to .379 shooting overall; Mines hit at a .507 clip.

Mines began the game on an 8-0 run started by back-to-back threes from Reed and Baker, and Baker's three-pointer with 15:59 to go put him over the 1,000-point mark and gave Mines an 11-4 lead. An 8-0 lead moments later started and ended by O'Leary blew the game open at 25-6, and the Orediggers did now allowed CSUP to reach double digits until the 9:27 mark of the first half as they ran away before halftime. Another 8-0 stretch sparked by a monsterous Reed dunk from the baseline helped Mines lead 48-23 at the half.

Despite better shooting from the Thunderwolves in the second half (an even 13-of-26), Mines did not relent draining nine three-pointers after the break to grow their lead to as much as 36 points, 81-45, with 4:57 remaining. 

NOTABLES
- Baker came into the game needing four points to reach 1,000, and appropriately the sharpshooting point guard reached it on back-to-back three-pointers early in the first half. 
- Baker's seven three-pointers were a career-high. He did not make a two-point basket as he added a free throw.
- Mines' dozen blocks were its most since swatting 13 against Kansas Wesleyan early last season. Every member of the Mines starting lineup had at least one block led by Glen and Brendan Sullivan's three apiece. 
- O'Leary came one point away from his career high as he shot 6-for-10 from the floor to score 12 in 18 minutes off the bench.
- Betts hit double figures for the sixth straight game as he was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and the line to reach 13 points.
- Mines held a 39-33 rebounding advantage.
- The Orediggers won their third in a row over CSU-Pueblo; the average margin of victory in those three wins is 29.3 points.

NEXT UP
Mines will face New Mexico Highlands Saturday at 7 p.m. on Rock The Lock Night.