GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's basketball led midway through the game Saturday night against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. However, the Hardrockers won the second half and won the game, 60-52.
 
Western (6-18, 5-15 RMAC) and SDSMT (11-14, 9-11 RMAC) played to a 10-10 tie in the first quarter. The Mountaineers took a one-point lead at halftime, 24-23, after outscoring the Hardrockers 14-13 in the second quarter.
 
Despite outscoring SDSMT 17-14 in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers were unable to overcome the Hardrockers 23-point third quarter.
 
Western's Sadie Stroup tied a game-high 14 points, scoring eight of those points in the second half. Stroup made 3-of-5 shots from beyond the arc.
 
The Mountaineers had four players score five or more points on Saturday. Including Stroup, Brianna Wilber and Katie Najvar added seven, Katelynn Martinez scored six and Harlie Williams notched five.
 
Najvar led the game with eight rebounds in 13 minutes played.
 
Molly McCabe led SDSMT with 14 points scored.
 
The Mountaineers will conclude the 2016-17 season next weekend with a pair of games against CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands. Both games will be played in Paul Wright Gym.
 
The Mountaineers' six victories this season is the most since the 2013-14 season.