Colorado School of Mines at Chadron State, Friday, 7:30 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
Colorado School of Mines at MSU Denver, Saturday, 7 p.m. [TV: KTVD 20] [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
 

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THIS WEEKEND
The second part of the RMAC circuit begins as Mines makes return trips to Chadron State and MSU Denver this weekend. The Orediggers hope to keep pace with the top of the RMAC standings as they visit CSC Friday night, then return to Colorado to face crosstown rival MSU Denver Friday at 7 p.m.
 
ON THE RMAC NETWORK
Every Mines home game and all RMAC contests can be seen live and for free on the RMAC Network at minesathletics.com/tv. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC".

This Saturday's game at MSU Denver will also have the RMAC Network stream simulcast in Colorado on KTVD channel 20.

LAST WEEKEND
Mines split at home last weekend, beating CSU-Pueblo 89-61 but losing a heartbreaker to New Mexico Highlands 74-72. Against CSUP, Mason Baker returned to the lineup and drained 22 points to lead the way on 7-of-8 outside shooting. Against Highlands, Mines erased a seven-point deficit to tie the game on three-pointers from Brendan Sullivan and Michael Glen, but a Cowboy layup with 17 seconds remaining won them the game.

AROUND THE RMAC
Black Hills State has taken over sole possession of first in the RMAC at 13-2, a game ahead of Dixie State (12-3) with Mines now three games back in third place at 10-5. A cluster of teams – New Mexico Highlands, Westminster, UCCS, and Colorado Mesa – sit at 9-6 with South Dakota Mines currently occupying the eighth and final RMAC Tournament slot at 8-7.

BAKER SCORES 1,000TH
Mason Baker became the latest Oredigger to reach the 1,000-point milestone when he hit his second three-pointer of the game against CSU-Pueblo last Friday. Baker achieved the feat in his 76th career game as he now has 1,030 career points (13.4 ppg) including 118 three-pointers.

BLOCK PARTY
Mines enters this weekend second in the RMAC in blocks per game at 4.6, but their rim protection in the last two weeks has been remarkable. Mines has averaged a whopping 8.5 blocks per game over the last four outings, including eight each against MSU Denver and Chadron State and a season-high 12 vs. CSU-Pueblo. Michael Glen is the RMAC's leading individual blocker with 1.5 per game, while Titus Reed (0.8 bpg) and Brendan Sullivan (0.7 bpg) have also contributed.

SCOUTING CHADRON STATE [Series: CSC, 44-40]
Chadron State (3-18, 2-13 RMAC) is in the midst of an eight-game losing skid dating back to Jan. 10. They are led by leading scorer Brian Rodriguez-Flores (16.9 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game) along with Jacob Jefferson (11.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg). The Orediggers have won 23 straight against CSC dating back to the 2007-08 season. On Jan. 25, Mines needed career nights from Brendan Sullivan, Kobi Betts, and Ben Boone to erase a 16-point deficit in the second half to win, 95-87. Sullivan and Betts each scored 28 while Boone had 23 including five three-pointers. The Eagles were led by Jacob Jefferson's 24 points in the post.

SCOUTING MSU DENVER [Series: Mines, 42-36]
The Roadrunners are 10-11 overall and 6-9 in conference play; since losing to Mines on Jan. 24, they have a win over UCCS (who they play again Friday) but lopsided losses to South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State. Druce Asah leads them in scoring at 12.2 points per game, but no other Roadrunner is in double digits. In the meeting two weeks ago, Titus Reed drained a career-high 21 points and Brendan Sullivan had 11 points, nine rebounds, and five assists as Mines held Asah to two points in a 61-52 defensive battle.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines visits New Mexico Highlands and CSU-Pueblo on Feb. 14-15.