SPEARFISH - After a two week's without a game it didn't take long for the School of Mines Hardrockers to find their groove again as they snagged their ninth straight win, 81-77, over Johnson & Wales on Monday night in Spearfish at the Perkins Classic.
The victory improved the 'Rockers to 11-3 on the season as they relied on a series of scoring runs, made free throws down the stretch, and held off a late charge from the Colorado team.
Robbie Fedor led the way for the 'Rockers scoring 22 of his game high 24 points in the second half.
"It was a team effort again tonight," said Hardrockers head coach Jason Henry. "We had different guys contributing in different ways all night. I think 10 different guys have scored in double figures for us this year and obviously Robbie (Fedor) had another big game for us tonight."
Early in the first half the 'Rockers went on a 10-0 run and took a 13-5 advantage behind the post play of Kyle Turpin who had six points during the run. However, the Mines offense went dry for almost five minutes and Johnson & Wales went on a 13-3 run, taking the lead 16-14 with 7:41 remaining in the half. They were led by Sasha Pate who scored nine points during the run and finished the half with 12, and Chris Brunson who had nine first half points.
"We got the lead early and then we just stopped," said Henry. "It seemed like we went forever without scoring. But we recovered and got the momentum going back our way."
The Rockers managed to take a one point led in at the half, 33-32, after they shot 56 percent from the floor while getting 19 points off the bench.
Both offenses sputtered to start the second half, but Mines still managed to extend its lead due to Johnson & Wales getting into foul trouble and putting Mines in the bonus with 10 minutes still to play in the game.
After struggling in the first half from the line, the 'Rockers shot 70 percent in the second half, led by Fedor who went 13-for-14 as they extended their lead to 58-44.
Pate and Brunson led a late charge for Johnson & Wales, cutting the lead to six with three minutes to play. Brunson finished with a team high 21 and Pate chipped in 19.
But the 'Rockers held off, hitting clutch free throws and grabbing rebounds down the stretch.
"We took care of the ball and shot well to get the big lead," said Henry. "To keep that lead with about three minutes left was the key, we got a couple of big rebounds and defensive stops at the end."
The School of Mines is next in action tonight at 5:30 p.m. when they battle Shorter College at the Perkins Classic in Spearfish.
