GOLDEN, Colo. – The St. Mary's University Men's Basketball team ran into a hot-shooting Colorado School of Mines squad in its season opener, falling 93-66 on Friday night at Lockridge Arena.
The Orediggers (2-0) took 40 three-point attempts, with eight players connecting on at least one for 18 makes in the game.
All 16 Rattlers (0-1) played in the contest and junior
Lawyer Jones (Waco, Texas) was the lone player in double figures in scoring with 15, doing so in only 17 minutes as he was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and made both of his free throws.
Sophomore
Raken Vargas (Houston) made the first start of his career, chipping in nine points and tying for the team lead with four assists. Junior transfer
Paora Winitana (Hawke's Bay, New Zealand) led the game with eight rebounds and also dished out four assists. True freshman
Avery Webb (North Richland Hills, Texas) also scored nine points in his first collegiate contest, adding in five rebounds as he went a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.
The two teams traded baskets through the first 8:15 with four ties and seven lead changes before the Orediggers closed the half on a 31-8 run to build a 50-27 lead at the break. The Rattlers stayed even with Mines in the second half, but were unable to erase the first-half deficit.
The Rattlers remain in Golden, playing MSU Denver on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CT). The Roadrunners lost in overtime to Lubbock Christian 79-77 on Friday.
