GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth quarter. Yet, it just wasn't enough as they fell 52-54 to South Dakota Mines at home.  
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: South Dakota Mines def., Western Colorado 54-52.
Records: Western Colorado 4-9, 3-5 RMAC, South Dakota Mines 2-13, 2-7 RMAC
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Early on the Mountaineers were in control, starting the game off on an 8-2 run – Hayley Valencia shoulder the majority of the scoring during that run contributing four-points. Brooklyn Seymour and Rachel Cockman scored the other four -points, each making a bucket. A few seconds later, the Hardrockers responded with a 5-0 run, putting the score at 8-7 in favor of Western.
• On the Mountaineers next possession, they went on yet another run, this time the run being 7-2.
• South Dakota Mines closed the first quarter out, outscoring the Mountaineers 5-3 – Caileen Sienknecht hitting a three-pointer with eight second left on the clock, before the quarter ended.
• Things started off pretty good for Western, in the second quarter – Wagstaff hitting a three-pointer to increase the Mountaineers lead to seven-points. However, after that the Hardrockers offense started rolling, going on an 8-2 run, resulting in Western holding a 23-22 lead.
• The Mountaineers managed to briefly increase their lead to three-points at the 4:50 and 1:04 mark - on two Valencia free throws (4:50) and Valencia layup (1:04). With 39 seconds before halftime South Dakota Mines sank a layup, putting the halftime score at 28-27 in favor of the Mountaineers.
• Similar to the end of the second quarter, Western managed to hold a brief three-point lead two times at the 9:10 and 8:38 mark. But with the game tied at 32-points apiece, the Hardrockers offense started to get things going, sparking a 9-2 run as they took a 41-34 lead (2:38).
• That seven-point lead would hold for the remainder of the quarter, leading to the Mountaineers being down 36-43 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Coming off their worst quarter of the game, Western offense caught fire, going on a 10-2 run – which led to the score reading 46-45 in favor of the Mountaineers. Valencia got the run going converting the and-one and then Wagstaff took the game over, scoring seven straight points.
• Wagstaff didn't stop there as she would score Western next two baskets as well, helping the Mountaineers have a 50-49 lead.
• South Dakota Mines and the Mountaineers exchanged one-point leads for the next two-minutes and 32-seconds. Unfortunately, with six seconds left in the game the Hardrockers sank a free throw giving them a two-point, that resulting in them coming away with the victory.

COURT NOTES

• Wagstaff led the way for Western, scoring 20-points and also grabbed a team high nine rebounds. Valencia was the next highest scorer for the Mountaineers pitching in with 14-points.
• As a whole, Western shot 31.5 percent (17-of-54) from the field, 25 percent (4-of-16) from three and 73.7 percent (14-of-19) from the free throw line.
• South Dakota Mines, had three players – Piper Bauer (14-points), Megan Alexander (12-points) and Sydnee Durtsche (10-points) – reach double figures in the game.
• The Hardrockers shot, 36.5 percent (23-of-63) from the field, 18.2 percent (4-of-22) from three and 66.7 percent (4-of-6) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers hit the road for their next two games against, New Mexico Highlands (Jan. 13, 5 p.m.) and Colorado State University Pueblo (Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m.).