By Jim Holland, Rapid City Journal
RAPID CITY --- They say talk is cheap, but on Friday night the spoken word was golden for the South Dakota School of Mines Lady Hardrockers.
Mines head coach Barb Felderman delivered an inspirational halftime chat, and the Hardrockers delivered, downing Valley City State, 71-61, in Dakota Athletic Conference women's basketball at Goodell Gymnasium.
Valley City led for much of the first half, stretching the margin to as many as six with less than a minute left.
"We came out flat, absolutely no energy, just out there playing a game," Felderman said. "I just asked them where the intensity level was and they fixed it. We came out in the second half and decided to play a little bit."
Indeed they did.
Mines opened the second half with an 11-0 run, fueled by 3-pointers from Mandy Willmore and Ariel Granillo.
Jerika Ihnen gave the Lady Hardrockers their first lead on a soft floater that finally bounced through, followed by a free throw with 17:23 left in the game.
Mines extended the lead to 10 on Granillo's second 3-pointer of the night, then withstood a resurgence that brought the Lady Vikings back to within one, 51-50, with 5:24 remaining.
Mines preserved the win with timely 3-pointers and 14 free throws on 23 trips to the line. Mines connected on 8-of-16 from the perimeter, while Valley City was 5-of-10 from the stripe for the night.
"When you're settling for jump shots, you're not going to get fouled. The free-throw discrepancy is because of that. We weren't attacking the basket," Valley City head coach Jill DeVries said. "We got outhustled and outworked."
Shalane Hampp paced Mines with 18 points, including 9-of-10 from the stripe.
"This past week I've been shooting a lot of free throws, trying to get my percentage back up," Hampp said.
Bethany Holyoak added 14 points in spite of little more than six minutes playing time in the first half because of foul trouble. Holyoak scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in the second half.
Hillary Hawkins pumped in three 3-pointers en route to 13 points for Mines.
Hampp said the team split into fours during the break.
"We asked each other what we need to do to get the intensity back up there. Talking was big for us, communication on the court, and having Bethany in there," Hampp said. "She wasn't in much in the first half, and she's such a leader for us,"
Mandy Johnson scored 18 points and Abby Rittenhouse 14 to lead Valley City (14-10 overall, 5-5 DAC).
"We struggled from the perimeter, not just from the 3-point line but just stepping inside. The kids have been putting the ball in the basket, but not tonight. Their kids stepped up and really made the big shots when they needed to," DeVries said.
Mines (11-12, 4-5) hosts Jamestown College today at 4 p.m. Valley City plays at Black Hills State today at 4 p.m.
