RAPID CITY, SD. A wild pass by South Dakota Mines with 5.6 seconds left to go in the fourth quarter, led to Grace Kirscher coming up with the steal and sinking the fast-break layup – helping Western Colorado come away with a 56-54 victory.

With 2:21 left in the game, Western trailed 52-51. However, Kirscher made a turnaround jumper with 1:32 left to play, giving Western a 53-52 lead. 20 seconds later, South Dakota Mines retook the lead knocking down two free throws, then fouled Kirscher with 50 seconds left, sending her to the free throw line for a chance to tie the game. That she did, making her first and unfortunately missing her second shot. Fortunately that didn't come back to hurt the Mountaineers.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado def. South Dakota Mines 56-54.
Records: Western Colorado 6-6, South Dakota Mines 0-12.
Location: King Center; Rapid City, SD.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was pretty even after the first quarter came to close, resulting in the Mountaineers having a 16-15 lead. Katie Dalton and Ky Buell were the leading scores early on each pitching in with four-points.
• The Hardrockers offense came alive at the start of second quarter, as they went on a 7-0 run to take 22-16 lead with 7:37 left before halftime. Kirscher stopped that run with lay-up, then Natalie Jojola knocked down two free-throws and Dalton made another jumper – tying the game at 22 points apiece with 6:13 left in the quarter.  
• South Dakota Mines offense continued to fire on all cylinders resulting in them having a 33-28 lead at halftime. Dalton was leading scorer for the Mountaineers with eight-points, while Makenna Bodette was the Hardrockers leading scorer with 13.
• Western stormed back in the third quarter, thanks to five-points from Emmery Wagstaff and four points from Kirscher, helping them tie the game at 44 points apiece.
• It appeared the Mountaineers may lose the game after they turned the ball over with 13 seconds left in the game - setting up South Dakota Mines with the final shot. Yet, the Hardrockers committed a costly mistake on the inbound pass, which led to the game winning basket, helping Western escape with a two-point victory.

 
COURT NOTES

• Kirscher kicked off 2022 on a strong note, scoring a season high and team leading 20-points in the game. Dalton and Wagstaff were the next leading scores for the Mountaineers each pitching in with 10-points.
• For the Hardrockers, Madelyn Heiser was their leading score with 14 points.
• Western defense was impressive in the fourth quarter, only allowing South Dakota Mines to make 1-of-11 shots taken in the quarter.
• Wagstaff was a force on defense, recording three steals, a block and seven rebounds in the game. 

 
UP NEXT
Western will be back on the road Friday, Jan. 7, traveling to Lakewood, Colo., to take on Colorado Christian University at 5 p.m.