LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Balanced scoring carried the #13 Colorado School of Mines Men's Basketball team to a 101-85 victory Saturday at New Mexico Highlands.
 
The list of Orediggers who scored in double figures was lengthy. Majok Deng led all players with 25 points. Markus Pastorcic-Straun and Juani Dassie both scored 15 points, Alex Romack scored 14 points, and Riley Schroeder chipped in 11 points. Schroeder was 5-for-5 from the floor and proved utilitarian with five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Pastorcic-Straun and Jonathan Moore were also perfect from the floor. Every Mines player that recorded minutes pulled down multiple rebounds as well. Dassie topped that list with five boards. Also notable were four assists each for Cade Mankle and Caleb Clark. Mankle and Pastorcic-Straun rounded out the highlights by grabbing two steals apiece.
 
As a team, Mines (6-1, 2-0 RMAC) converted at a 63-percent clip from the floor which included seven made three-pointers. The Orediggers had 30 opportunities at the free-throw line and made 22 of them. They scored over half their total points in the paint too. New Mexico Highlands (6-3, 0-2 RMAC) was held under 50-percent shooting and suffered from a 61-percent mark at the free-throw line. The home team did find eight makes from behind the arc. However, the home bench only provided 25 points. Rebounds and turnovers were even at 31 and 12 for each team.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
New Mexico Highlands started the night 4-for-4 from the field and did not miss a shot until the 15:16 mark of the first half. That production accounted for both ties and both lead changes in the game. But, after the first media timeout, it was all Orediggers. Modest runs sprinkled throughout the first 20 minutes were highlighted by a 9-2 surge to end the half. Mines headed to the locker room touting a 49-39 lead thanks to 26 combined points from Dassie and Pastorcic-Straun and seven total assists by Clark and Schroeder.
 
After the break, it was much of the same. Deng, who only played five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, exploded for 21 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Mankle handed out three more dimes and Schroeder hit the glass for four boards. Mines' longest run of the final frame was just six points, but the Orediggers still pushed their lead all the way to 20 points – hitting the margin with over eight minutes left in the game. Free-throw shooting was the theme down the stretch, and the visitors converted to keep NMHU at arm's length and close out the victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 49-33 in the all-time series against New Mexico Highlands and extended its win streak to six versus the Cowboys.
- Mines hasn't lost to NMHU since February of 2020.
- Saturday marked the Orediggers' second triple-digit outburst of the season. They poured 107 in against UCCS in a non-conference game on Nov. 26.
- Deng entered the night averaging just under 16 points per game for the season. However, he's averaged over 22 per game over his last three outings.
- Clark's eight points against the Cowboys marked a collegiate best, as did his four assists.
- Moore produced a career high in scoring on Saturday night as well.
- Mines Head Coach Pryor Orser owns a career record of 451-228 in his 24th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers' next action will be at home on Saturday against Colorado Mesa. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be offered at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @Minesmbb. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.