GUNNISON, Colo. – Coming off the bench, Western Colorado University's Cole Sienknecht scored 21 points in the final 7:37 as the Mountaineers nearly came from 13 points down to defeat South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Saturday. However, the Hardrockers came away with an 84-79 win over the Mountaineers.
 
Sienknecht made five three-pointers, one jump shot and four free throws after Western (3-10, 0-7 RMAC) fell behind 13 points just after the midway point in the second half.
 
With 30 seconds remaining the Mountaineers cut the SDSMT (6-9, 3-4 RMAC) lead to just one possession, 79-76. Western was unable to complete the comeback, ultimately falling by five points.
 
Sienknecht led all players with 32 points in 28 minutes after his 21-point second-half performance.
 
The Mountaineers outscored the Hardrockers 35-34 in the second half, but a six-point deficit at halftime proved to be enough for SDSMT.
 
Brady Subart added 16 points for Western and Quincy Harding notched 10 points in 10 minutes before being forced off the court due to injury.
 
SDSMT's offense was rolling in the first half, but the Mountaineer defense held the Hardrockers to a pedestrian 37.5 percent (9-of-24) shooting in the second half after turning on the full-court pressure.
 
Allec Williams led SDSMT in scoring with 31 points.
 
The Mountaineers will return to the court next Friday at Colorado State University – Pueblo.