By Brad Blume, Sports Information Director
ABERDEEN, S.D. --- After a second-half scoring charge, the South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team fell to the Minnesota State University-Mankota Mavericks, 79-66, Saturday night during the Northern State Classic in Aberdeen, S.D.
The Lady Hardrockers kept pace and only trailed by four at the half, 33-29, but faded down the stretch as the Mavericks outscored SD Mines, 46-37, over the final 20 minutes. SD Mines shot 34 percent from the field hitting 20-59 while MSU was 29-63 for 46 percent.
Individually, freshman Olivia Antilla paced the Hardrockers with 22 points and six rebounds while senior Hillary Hawkins added 13 points and senior Katie Strandholm contributed with 12 markers.
Hawkins, who had three three-point goals in Saturday's contest, became the all-time three-point goal scorer in SD Mines women's basketball history. She needed just two heading into the weekend games. She currently has 157 and passed the old all-time leader Ann Konechne (153).
The loss drops SD Mines to 1-2 on the season and will next head to Spearfish Tuesday for a rivalry game with the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets in a 5:30 p.m. matchup.