GOLDEN, Colo. -- February 9, 2019 -- Colorado School of Mines shot 65.9 percent from the field and made 25 of 26 free throws while overwhelming the Chadron State Eagles 90-56 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game Friday night.

The win was the 18th straight for the Orediggers to set their school record for consecutive victories and puts them 16-0 in the conference.  They entered the game No. 15 in the NCAA Division II rankings.

"Colorado School of Mines is a disciplined team," said CSC Head Coach Houston Reed.  "All their guys can make shots.  They lead the league in field goal percentage for a reason.  And, when we are outscored by 20 points at the free throw line it's hard to keep up."

The Eagles led 22-21 after 12 minutes and 22 seconds had been playe in the first half.  But the Orediggers led 44-30 at halftime and outscored Chadron State 46-26 in the second half.

Although no one had more than 13 points for the Orediggers, they had five players score in double figures, two more add nine apiece and others tally seven and six.  Mason Baker's 13 points set the pace while Michael Glen, Ben Clare and Ben Sonnefeld each scored 11.

Clare had eight rebounds and Sonnenfeld handed out seven assists, both game-highs.  They are the only seniors who saw action for Mines. Clare missed the free throw.

Michael Sparks paced the Eagles with 11 points, followed by Charles Gavin and Jacob Jefferson with eight apiece. CSC shot 48 percent from the field in the first half, just 36.7 percent in the second half and 41.8 percent for the game and were five of 10 from the charity stripe.

After winning four games in a row the last half of January, the Eagles have lost four straight so far in February and are 10-12 overall and 8-8 in the RMC. They play at Colorado-Colorado Springs on Saturday night. 

The Mountain Lions led by 19 points midway in the second half Friday night, but had to make two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to edge Metro State-Denver on Friday night.

Chadron State--Michael Sparks 11, Charles Gavin 8, Jacob Jefferson 8, Jeremy Ruffin 7, Diontae Champion 7, Colby Jackson 4, Jaisean Jackson 4, Adoum Mbang 4, Kayden Sund 3. Totals: 23-55 (5-13) 5-10 56 points, 23 rebounds, 13 turnovers.

Colorado School of Mines--Mason Baker 13, Michael Glen 12, Ben Clare 12, Ben Sonnefeld 12, Austin Means 10, Brendan Sullivan 9, Ben Boone 9, Joe Miks 7, Luke Golter 6. Totals: 29-44 (7-16) 25-26 90 points, 29 rebounds, 6 turnovers.

               Chadron State       30          26         ----56
               Colorado Mines     44         46         ----90

3-pointers: CSC--Sparks 2, Jefferson 2, Sund 1. CSM--Sonnefeld 2, Glen, Sullivan, Baker, Miks, Boone, all 1