RAPID CITY, S.D. – MSU Denver started strong but couldn't sustain its momentum Saturday in a 61-35 loss to South Dakota Mines.
 
The Roadrunners took an 11-7 lead after the first quarter while holding South Dakota Mines to 17.6 percent shooting (3 of 17), but the Hardrockers used a 15-3 second-quarter burst to take a 26-15 lead.
 
MSU Denver pulled within 26-20 at halftime, but had a cold-shooting second half at 7 of 27 (25.9 percent) and couldn't remain as South Dakota Mines continued its second half surge.
 
"We just couldn't score, and then it started to affect us on the defensive end," said Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave, who called Friday's effort-filled win at Black HIlls State one of the finest she had seen as a coach.
 
Jaela Richardson led MSU Denver with eight points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots, while Gabi Lucero added seven points in 12 minutes of action. Morgan Lewis had a team-best nine rebounds.
 
South Dakota Mines (14-9 overall, 12-7 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) improved its winning streak to nine games.
 
MSU Denver dropped to 11-14 and 10-9 as it battles for one of eight spots in the RMAC Tournament. There are three regular-season games remaining.
 
"It was just a Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) game for us all the way around," Haave said. "Now we've just got to win the next three games."