Rapid City, SD – The Westminster Griffins women's basketball team could not secure a conference victory on Saturday afternoon, falling 62-49 to South Dakota Mines in RMAC play. Despite a strong performance from Olivia Tausinga, the Griffins couldn't overcome a tough second quarter and dropped to 3-15 overall and 2-8 in conference action.
After the first quarter, the Griffins held a slim one-point lead, but South Dakota Mines took control in the second, outscoring Westminster 20-10 to head into halftime with a nine-point advantage. Westminster fought hard in the second half but couldn't close the gap as the Hardrockers maintained their lead through the final buzzer.
Westminster Leaders:
The Griffins struggled with turnovers, committing 14 on the day, while their shooting cooled off after a solid opening quarter. Despite their effort on the boards, where Harrigfeld's 18 rebounds stood out, Westminster couldn't convert those opportunities into enough points.
South Dakota Mines Leaders:
- Piper Bauer: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4-11 3PT
- Morning Grace Spotted Bear: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals
- Savea Mansfield: 12 points, 8 rebounds
The Hardrockers were led by their balanced scoring and strong interior presence. They grabbed 37 rebounds and held the Griffins to just 10 points in the second quarter. Their ability to capitalize on Westminster's mistakes, scoring 17 points off turnovers, proved pivotal.
Key Team Stats:
- Rebounds: Westminster 38, South Dakota Mines 37
- Points in the Paint: South Dakota Mines 24, Westminster 14
- Turnovers: Westminster 14, South Dakota Mines 7
Up Next:
The Griffins will look to bounce back on Thursday, January 30, when they travel to Lakewood, CO, to face Colorado Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM, and fans can catch all the action on the RMAC Network.
