RAPID CITY, S.D. – The No. 4 Colorado Mesa women's basketball team started off the final road trip of the regular season on a positive note with a 79-55 win over the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers on Thursday (Feb. 26) evening at the King Center.
Colorado Mesa (29-1, 19-0 RMAC) led by just two points at halftime, 32-30 after shooting just 37.5 percent from the field.
Mason Rowland scored 22 of her game-high 27 points in the second half to spark the Mavericks to extend their lead after the halftime break. Rowland was 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Rowland completed the double-double with 12 rebounds tying her career high. It is her seventh double-double and ninth time scoring more than 20 points this season.
Each facet of the game stepped up for the Mavericks in the second half. They shot 42.4 percent (14-for-33) from the field and 93 percent (14-for-15) from the stripe. They turned the ball over just two times and led the fast break points 14-1 in the second half.
In turn, the defense stepped up limiting South Dakota Mines (9-18, 7-12 RMAC) just eight made field goals and just 25.8 percent from the field. They outrebounded the Hardrockers 27-14 and just seven second chance points.
The most important stat of the second half was that the Mavericks outscored the Hardrockers 47-25.
Olivia Reed Thyne had her 59
th career double-double of her career as she finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. She was 10-for-12 (83.3%) from the field and added four assists and four blocked shots.
Mykaela Moore rounded out the Mavericks in double-figures with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Savea Mansfield and Morning Grace Spotted Bear tied for the Hardrockers team-high with 11 points.
The win gives the Mavericks 26 straight wins which is now a program record eclipsing the streak set in the 2013-14 season. They also have an RMAC record 36 straight wins within the conference dating back to the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
The Mavericks will close out the regular season on Saturday with a matchup against the Black Hills State Yellowjackets at 1pm from A1 Arena in Spearfish, S.D.
*Colorado Mesa will host an RMAC Quarterfinal game on Tuesday at 5:30pm against an opponent yet to be determined. Stay tuned for ticket and other matchup information.*
