GOLDEN, Colo. - Another second-half comeback let Colorado School of Mines end the regular season on a winning note as they defeated CSU Pueblo 72-65 at Lockridge Arena.
The Orediggers (16-10, 14-8 RMAC) trailed by as much as 10 in the second half before roaring back to take the lead in the closing minutes and win behind
Kai Barr's 19 points. They secured the RMAC Tournament's #5 seed and will visit UCCS in Tuesday's quarterfinal round at a time to be announced. The Thunderwolves ended their season at 12-16 overall and 9-13 in the RMAC.
Before the game Mines sent off seniors
Kobi Betts,
Justin Engesser, and
Titus Reed as they played at home for the final time. Betts ended up with 12 points, two assists, and two blocks while Engesser was a second-half spark with seven points, a game-high nine rebounds, and two blocks.
Lian Ramiro the Thunderwolves with 15 points, seven assists, and four steals, and Meekness Payne dropped in 16 off the bench.
A back-and-forth first half ended with CSU Pueblo going on a 6-0 run to lead 36-30, and their hot streak continued into the second half as they quickly went up 10 in the early minutes after a De'Shaun Cooper basket. Mines struggled to get back into the game but finally broke through in the closing minutes with an 11-0 run started by
Brendan Sullivan's score at the 6:53 mark. Engesser's putback cut the deficit to four and a Betts jumper in the paint made it 59-57 with just over five minutes to go; Betts then tied it on a floater with 4:39 left before Sullivan fed a wide-open Barr to flush the fastbreak dunk - and take the lead - with four minutes to go.
Mines' run continued with a kickout three-pointer by Engesser to go up 64-59 with 2:30 left, and CSU Pueblo's six-plus minute field goal drought finally ended on Ramiro's basket with 55 seconds left; by that point, Mines was up three and being sent to the line, where Betts, Engesser, and
Ben Boone went 6-for-6 in the final minute to seal the win.
NOTABLES
- The other RMAC Tournament quarterfinals will see regular-season champion Black Hills State host New Mexico Highlands, Colorado Mesa host MSU Denver, and Fort Lewis host Regis. The finals will be held March 4-5 at the highest remaining seed.
- Barr tied his career scoring hight with 19 points off 8-of-10 shooting as he made his first seven shots. He has scored 19 three times in his last six games.
- Sullivan ended with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while Betts scored 12 on his Senior Night.
- The Orediggers held a 40-32 rebounding advantage.
- Mines had eight blocks in the game including three by Boone.
NEXT UP
Mines visits UCCS Tuesday in the RMAC Tournament quarterfinals, at a time to be announced.