CHADRON, Neb. -- A slow start helped the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers defeat Chadron State women's basketball team Saturday night in the Chicoine Center, 77-59.
 
The loss drops CSC to 5-19 overall and 3-12 in conference play. South Dakota Mines, who won their fifth straight game, improves to 10-9 and 8-7 in the RMAC.
 
After starting the first period one of 10 from the field, CSC fell behind 21-11, while shooting 21.43 percent in the quarter.
 
The Eagles cold shooting continued in the second, finishing 26.7 percent from the field in the period and 24 percent in the half. South Dakota Mines led 42-22 at half, after shooting 42.9 percent in the first half.
 
"We weren't executing in the first half and were forcing it too much in the first half," Head Coach Janet Raymer said.
 
CSC shot 44 percent in the second half and outscored the Hardrockers 37-35, but were unable to overcome the first half deficit.
 
For the game, CSC finished 22-63 (34.9 percent) from the field. They converted two of 14 shots from three and were 13-16 from the charity stripe.
 
Their opponent finished 28-70 (40 percent) from the field and seven of 27 from three. The Hardrockers made 14 of 18 free throws.
 
Chadron State had 20 turnovers in the loss, which South Dakota Mines converted into 21 points. The Eagles scored five points off 12 South Dakota Mines turnovers.
 
"Points off of turnovers was one of the biggest differences of the game," Raymer said. "They had a high hedge on us and we struggled holding on to the ball for a whole half, which took us out of our scoring."
 
CSC outrebounded their opponent 44-42.
 
Taryn Foxen once again led the Eagles in scoring with 17 points. Bailey Brooks and Jessica Lovitt joined her in double-digits, with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Jordan Morris had a team high 10 rebounds. Foxen was one board shy of a double-double with nine.
 
Four different players scored double-figures for the Hardrockers. Anna Haugen and Sydney Leeper each had 12, while Molly McCabe and Ryan Weiss both had 10. Haugen added 13 rebounds to her stat line to finish with a double-double.
 
Chadron State stays home next weekend as they host Colorado School of Mines and UCCS. Both teams earned victories against New Mexico Highlands and CSU-Pueblo this weekend.