Feb 08, 2020

Monster night from Morris not quite enough to upset Orediggers

Posted Feb 08, 2020 3:20 PM

By: John Murphy, CSC Sports Information Assistant

CHADRON, Neb. -- Denali Pinto scored 31 points and the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers rallied back from a 15-0 scoring run by CSC in the first quarter, to win 63-57, Friday night in the Chicoine Center.

Chadron State falls to 5-20 overall and 3-13 in conference play. Colorado School of Mines improves to 15-6 overall and 12-4 in the RMAC.

The Orediggers built an early 10-2 lead, before the Eagles scored 15 straight points. CSC led 22-17 and the end of the first period.

The score was tied at 29 with 5:32 remaining in the first half, but the Orediggers outscored Chadron State 12-4 to close the quarter and led by eight at halftime. Mines built their lead as large as 15 in the second half and led the rest the way.

Chadron State shot 21 of 48 (43.8 percent) from the field. They converted four of 11 shots from three and were 11 of 13 from the charity stripe.

Colorado School of Mines finished 35.7 percent (20 of 56) from the field. The Orediggers made 10 of 26 from behind the arc, five by Pinto, and converted 13 of 14 attempts from the charity stripe.

CSC had 14 turnovers in the loss, two more than their opponent. The Eagles had 15 points off turnovers, while Mines had 23.

Both teams had 32 rebounds.

Freshman Jordan Morris was one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds, leading CSC in both categories.

Jordan Morris goes up for a bucket Friday night.
Jordan Morris goes up for a bucket Friday night.

Pinto was the only double-digit scorer for Colorado School of Mines. Sammy Van Sickle had a game high 11 rebounds.

Tomorrow, the Eagles host UCCS. The Mountain Lions fell to MSU-Denver 57-49, Friday night.

Colorado Mines cruises in men's game, 81-47

Colby Jackson (0) defends Friday night
Colby Jackson (0) defends Friday night

By: Con Marshall, CSC Sports Information

CHADRON, Neb. -- February 7, 2020 -- Colorado School of Mines broke a 16-16 tie midway through the first half, went on to build a 44-29 halftime margin and continued to pull away from homestanding Chadron State for an 81-47 victory Saturday night in a men's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference basketball game.

The Orediggers, now 15-8 for the season and 11-5 in the conference, shot 48 percent from the field in each half while finishing 28 of 58 for the game. Their point total included 11 of 31 from 3-point range and 14 of 17 at the free throw line.

The visitors also outrebounded the Eagles 40-29, leading to a 17-4 margin in second chance points. They also had a 16-8 advantage in points off turnovers and a 34-18 spread in points in the paint.

Although Mines jumped out to a 7-0 lead, the Eagles made seven of their first 11 shots to go ahead 16-13. That proved to be their only lead. Chadron State finished the first half 12 of 24 from the field, but was just two of four from the free throw stripe to account for much of its 15-point intermission deficit

Chadron State connected on just six of 29 field goal attempts in the second half while falling farther and farther behind. The Eagles' 47 total points are their season low by a dozen.

"We had a lot of shots that we're capable of making, both those from four to six feet away and open shots from the perimeter, that didn't go down tonight," Chadron State Coach Houston Reed. "I'm frustrated and the players are frustrated, but I'd rather have guys who are frustrated than those who are apathetic. I know they'll keep working. We're a much better team than our won-loss record."

The Eagles are now 3-19 for the season and 2-13 in the conference.

Four Orediggers scored in double digits, led by junior forward Michael Glen with 19 points on seven of nine from the field, including two-of-two from behind the arc three-of-three at the line. Glen also was the leading games rebounder with nine.

Kobi Betts added 13 points, Titus Reed 12 and Joe Miks 11 for Mines. Each is also a junior.

Chadron State's only double figure scorer was Brian Rodriguez with 12, all in the first half. He did not play in the second half after drawing his fourth foul on a technical just before halftime. Colby Jackson and Kenan Gray each finished with eight points.

The Eagles will host Colorado-Colorado Springs on Saturday night while Mines will return to the Denver area to play Metro State. Colorado Springs toppled the Roadrunners 70-47 Friday night.

Colorado Mines--Michael Glen 19, Kobi Betts 13, Titus Reed 12, Joe Miks 11, Brendan Sullivan 7, Luke Golter 7, Bede Hooper 5, Ben Boone 3, Austin Means 2, Paul O'Leary 2. Totals: 28-58 (11-31) 14-17, 81 points, 40 rebounds, 10 turnovers.

Chadron State--Brian Rodriguez 12, Colby Jackson 8, Kenan Gray 8, Andre Sepeda 6, Stephon Bell 4, Kayden Sund 4, Brady Delimont 3, Michael Sparks 2. Totals: 18-53 (5-16) 6-10, 47 points, 29 rebounds, 14 turnovers.

Colorado Mines 44 37 ----81

Chadron State 29 18 ---47

3-pointers: CSM--Miks 3, Glen 2, Reed 2, Sullivan 1, Boone 1, Hooper 1, Golter 1. CSC--Rodriguez 2, Jackson 2, Delimont 1.