Orediggers Claim First RMAC Shootout Title With 63-47 Win Over CMU - Mar 4, 2012
Orediggers Claim First RMAC Shootout Title With 63-47 Win Over CMU
The second-ranked Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team claimed its first-ever RMAC Shootout Championship by a 63-47 final on Saturday afternoon at the State Fair Events Center in Pueblo. The Orediggers (27-2) battled through their worst statistical shooting game of the season (38.5 percent) and third-lowest point output to claim their first postseason tournament championship. Mines overcame the poor shooting afternoon behind stifling first half defense that limited seventh-seeded Colorado Mesa (16- 13) to just 16 first half points and 47 through the game's entirety. It is the first time a RMAC school has claimed both the men's regular season and tournament championships in the same year since Metro State pulled off the double- dip during the 2008-09 season.Mines' 27 wins adds to the school record for overall wins in a season after dominating the conference to the tune of 20 RMAC victories - the most in the 102- year history of the conference and the most in school history. CSM caused nine first-half turnovers and limited the Mavericks to just 31.8 percent shooting during the opening stanza, and used a 14-4 run to end the half and head into the break with a 30-16 advantage. The Mavericks cut Mines' lead to 8 points at 52-44 with 4:23 remaining in the second half, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the way. Mines put three players on the RMAC All-Tournament Team, led by senior Dale Minschwaner who was named tournament MVP after averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Minschwaner also added seven blocks and six assists over the three-game span. RMAC Player of the Year Brett Green and RMAC Freshman of the Year Trevor Ritchie joined Minschwaner on the squad after Ritchie led the team with 17.7 points per game and Green added 12.7 points per game during the three-game stretch. Ritchie led the team on Saturday with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including a 5-of-6 effort form the foul line. Green added 14 points on 3- of-11 shooting from the floor, and did most of his damage at the foul line after finishing 8-of-10. Minschwaner led the team with 10 rebounds while also adding three steals on defense. The Orediggers will officially find out if they will host the Central Region tournament on Sunday during the NCAA Division II Tournament Selection Show when it is streamed live over NCAA.com.
RMAC Tournament Semifinals: Colorado Mesa - Fort Lewis 65-62 Colorado Mines - Neb.-Kearney 82-62
All-RMAC 1st Team 2011-2012
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Green
Morris
Evans
Minschwaner
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Player of the Year:Brett Green (6'4''-G/F) of Colorado Mines All-Tournament MVP:Dale Minschwaner (6'6''-C) of Colorado Mines Defensive Player of the Year:Jamiko Verner (5'11''-G-90) of Adams St. Freshman of the Year:Trevor Ritchie (6'4''-G/F) of Colorado Mines Coach of the Year:Pryor Orser of Colorado Mines
Orser
Orediggers Claim First RMAC Shootout Title With 63-47 Win Over CMU
