RAPID CITY, S.D. – Chadron State scored its third-highest point total of the season and freshman Ella Moser poured in a career-high 20 points, but South Dakota Mines made 13 three-pointers as the Hardrockers defeated the Eagles 76-59 on Thursday evening in Rapid City. 

South Dakota Mines (7-12, 5-6 RMAC) shot 48 percent from the field (26-54, its second-best percentage of the season) and 46 percent from three-point range (13-28, its best percentage of the season) against the Eagles (1-15, 1-11 RMAC). 

Moser became the third Eagle this season with a 20-point game, joining McKenzi Petersen (20 points against Adams State on 1/15) and Audrey Quintana (22 points against Westminster on 1/12).

The freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa made 7 of 14 shot attempts, including 4 of 8 three-pointers, and made both free throw attempts. Thursday marked Moser's fifth career double-figure scoring performance. 

In another sign of growth for the Eagles, CSC committed just eight turnovers, 10 more than their previous season-low of 18. South Dakota Mines committed 10, marking just the second time this season that the Eagles won the turnover battle.

McKenzi Petersen joined Moser in double figures against the Hardrockers, scoring 11 points on 5 of 8 shooting with six rebounds. Dreanna Jackson and Audrey Quintana had eight points each, with Quintana corralling a team-high seven rebounds. Kenna Wagner led the team with five assists and three steals. 

The Hardrockers jumped out to a 17-5 lead on the strength of making five of their first six three-point attempts. Moser answered with two threes of her own in the quarter, the second of which came with three seconds left and cut the deficit to 21-10. 

The Eagles fought back, outscoring SDM 17-15 in the second period. Moser began the frame by hitting another jumper and a three to cut the lead down to six, having scored 13 of the team's 15 points at that point. A Quintana layup, which made it 22-19 with 4:38 to go in the first half, was the first basket by anyone not named Moser or Petersen for the Eagles. 

That three-point margin would also be the closest Chadron State would get to the lead. The Hardrockers led by nine at halftime and opened the second half on a 12-3 run to open up an 18-point cushion. South Dakota Mines outscored CSC 23-14 in the third quarter, making the margin too steep for the Eagles despite outscoring the home team 18-17 in the final frame.

South Dakota Mines narrowly outrebounded the Eagles 32-31. The Hardrockers received a game-high 24 points from Addison Miranda. 

After playing four games in eight days, Chadron State has a full week of rest before its next game on Thursday, February 5 against Colorado Christian.

Chadron State—Ella Moser 20, McKenzi Petersen 11, Audrey Quintana 8, Dreanna Jackson 8, Kenna Wagner 5, Alex Ridenour 3, Evelyn Old Coyote 2, Teryn Stokes 2. Totals: 21-60 FG (9-29 3PT) 8-12 FT. 59 points, 31 rebounds, 14 assists, 8 turnovers.

​South Dakota Mines—Addison Miranda 24, Morning Grace Spotted Bear 11, Savea Mansfield 11, Carolina Ruiz Molina 9, Megan Alexander 9, Emma Martin 5, Alexis Backhaus 4, Lauren Herman 3. Totals: 26-54 FG (13-28 3PT) 11-14 FT. 76 points, 32 rebounds, 20 assists, 10 turnovers.