DURANGO, Colo. - Down 13 points in the second half, Brendan Sullivan and #1 Colorado School of Mines roared back to win 67-63 at Fort Lewis for their 11th consecutive win.

The Orediggers (11-0, 10-0 RMAC) were led by Sullivan's 23-point, eight-rebound night, which included 20 points in the second half as he helped Mines claw out of two double-digit deficits. The Skyhawks (5-6, 4-6 RMAC) led by 11 with 6:54 before Sullivan sparked a 22-7 Oredigger run to end the game.

Ben Boone, playing much of the second half on four fouls, scored 13 points including three second-half three-pointers, and Michael Glen chipped in 11. Foul shooting was crucial for Mines, going 18-of-20 at the stripe despite shooting just .396 overall for the game and .222 in a tough first half. Riley Farris led all Skyhawk scorers with 22 points as Brendan Boatwright and Dunnell Stafford each had 10.

Mines had a dismal start to the game, running into early foul trouble and hitting just 6-of-27 shots to fall behind 30-17 at the half. The Skyhawks ended the period on a 12-0 run including a momentum-sapping and-one dunk by Farris at the buzzer.

The visitors chipped away early in the second half as outside shots by Boone and Titus Reed helped pare the deficit down to a basket, 39-36, with 12:48 to play, but Fort Lewis responded with a 13-6 stretch to re-take a 10-point lead, 52-42, after Akuel Kot's jumper with 8:21 left. The advantage eventually hit 11 with 6:54 remaining before Sullivan sparked the comeback at the line; Means and Farris made buckets at opposite ends before Sullivan had two straight inside looks to cut it to 58-53 with 4:12 remaining.

Kot's basket and Boone's free throws kept it a two-possession game, but Sullivan responded with seven straight Oredigger points, hitting a runner from Glen at 3:19 and then a short jumper with 2:44 remaining to make it 60-59. After Farris made one of two free throws, Sullivan drained a contested three from the corner for Mines' first lead of the second half, 62-61, with 2:07 remaining, and Means spun his way to the hoop for a crucial two points 50 seconds later. 

Stafford made a mid-range jumper with 52 seconds remaining to make Mines' lead 64-63, and that would be FLC's final points as Glen and Sullivan combined for three points at the line in the final seconds to ice the game.

NOTABLES
- Mines was playing for the first time since beating Regis on Feb. 1, and was on the road for the first time since Jan. 4 at Black Hills State.
- After shooting a season-worst .222 in the first half, Mines went back to basics for a .577 second half that included six three-pointers. 
- Fort Lewis shot .460 for the game on half splits of .414 and .524. They were also outstanding at the line going 13-of-15. 
- Both Boone and Austin Means finished the final eight minutes on four fouls; Means had six points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes, with no basket bigger than his layup with 1:17 left.
- Sullivan added eight rebounds, an assist, and three steals to his night as he was 8-of-15 overall. He now averages a team-best 19.2 points per game.
- Mines had five blocks.
- With several starters in foul trouble, Mines went deep into the bench with Kai Barr, Taylor Spurlock, and Riley Schroeder all getting significant minutes.
- Mines sweeps the season series from Fort Lewis with two tough wins, also beating the Skyhawks 79-73 back on Dec. 19. The Orediggers have won eight in a row over FLC since 2016.
- Finishing their 11th game of the season means the Orediggers are now eligible for the NCAA Tournament; their next game will make them eligible for the RMAC Tournament with their 11th league contest of the season.

UP NEXT
Mines visits Western Colorado Saturday night at 7 p.m.