Mines at #17 Regis, Tuesday, 7 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats] 
Mines at South Dakota Mines, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats] 

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MINES SPENDS WEEK ON THE ROAD
After not playing since New Year's Day, Colorado School of Mines returns for a split week with road contests at #17 Regis (11-1) and South Dakota Mines (6-8) in the first repeat match-ups of the season. The Orediggers narrowly lost to the first-place Rangers on Nov. 30 in their RMAC opener, but handily defeated South Dakota Mines at home on Dec. 2. Both games will be seen on the RMAC Network.

MASKS REQUIRED FOR FANS AT REGIS
Masks are required for all fans attending Tuesday's contest at Regis consistent with health regulations set by the City and County of Denver. 

NMHU GAME POSTPONED
Mines' last scheduled game, at home on Jan. 8 against New Mexico Highlands, was postponed due to health and safety protocols. The two teams are still working on a new date. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Orediggers went 1-1 in their last home weekend, defeating Chadron State 65-62 on Dec. 31 before battling first-place Black Hills State in a 78-72 loss on Jan. 1. Against Chadron, Mines overcame a 17-point first-half deficit as Riley Schroeder scored 12 off the bench and Brendan Sullivan had 12 points in the game. Against BHSU, Mines led 28-20 at the half but the Yellow Jackets caught fire in the second half as Joel Scott had 23 points and 14 rebounds; Kobi Betts and Ben Boone had 18 points apiece to lead the Orediggers. 

ORSER NEARS WINS MARK
The 2020-21 season marks the 21st on the bench for Mines head coach Pryor Orser. Under Orser, Mines has gone 384-207, won five RMAC regular-season championships and two RMAC Tournament titles, and qualified for 11 NCAA Tournaments. His 271 RMAC wins (271-142 overall) are the second-most in conference history, and he has the chance to reach two milestones this season. His overall wins are currently two behind Mines all-time leader Jim Darden (386 wins), and he could become only the second RMAC coach to reach 400 career victories as well. 

MINES VS. REGIS
One of the nation's hottest teams, Regis enters the week 11-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play, winning 11 in a row with their only loss coming in the season opener to Lubbock Christian, who would hit #1 in the NABC poll the following week. Regis is now #17 in the latest coaches' poll. The Rangers score 82.5 points per game and shoot .471 led by Brian Dawson at 18.0 points and Will Cranton-Lown at 13.5 points per game. They have also been outstanding defensively averaging 9.8 steals per game and forcing opponents to average more than 18 turnovers per game. 

Mines and Regis are playing for the 137th time as RU leads 69-67 dating back to their first meeting in the 1924-25 season. Earlier this season. Regis rallied to win 66-62 on Nov. 30 in Golden in a game that had seven lead changes and nine ties. Ben Boone scored 21 points and Brendan Sullivan had a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double but a balanced Regis side hit two late baskets to win. 

MINES VS. SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines, who plays Regis Friday before hosting the Orediggers, is 6-8 overall and 4-4 in RMAC play riding a three-game win streak into this week with victories over Western Colorado, Fort Lewis, and CSU Pueblo since the calendar turned. They are led by the trio of Alejandro Rama (14.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Brevin Walter (14.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and Kolten Mortensen (13.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg). 

The Orediggers and Hardrockers match up for the 27th time dating back to 1958, with the Orediggers holding a 17-9 series lead including three straight wins. Mines rolled, 64-42, over the Hardrockers back on Dec. 2 with its best scoring defense outing since 2005-06. Ben Boone scored 18 and Brendan Sullivan had 13 points, two steals, two blocks, and two assists as SDM was limited to only .288 shooting overall.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines returns home to host Colorado Mesa Jan. 21 and Westminster Jan. 22.