The University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team couldn't overcome a large first half deficit Friday night in Golden, Colo. where they fell to NABC No. 18 Colorado School of Mines, 83-59.
USF fell behind early after the Orediggers scored twelve of the game's first 15 points. Keith Cutler scored the Cougars lone field goal during the run, giving CSM a 12-3 lead with 16:38 left in the first half.
The Cougars came within seven following layups by David Maxwell and James Rader, but Brett Green's layup near the 10 minute mark, capped a 12-5 run by CSM and put the Orediggers ahead 24-8.
Over the next four minutes, USF chipped away at their deficit and cut it back down to nine, but CSM would close out the half with a 15 point lead as the scoreboard read 45-30 at the break.
CSM went into the half shooting 54% from the field in comparison to 36% from the field for USF. However, the Orediggers made just two more field goals than the Cougars, but both were three pointers.
USF, who allows an average of 14.2 free-throw attempts per game by its opponents, saw CSM attempt 17 in the first half alone, accounting for 13 Oredigger points.
In the second half USF received a rare 3-point make by center Skyler Bloch to cut their deficit back to 15 with 17:13 to go.
A couple minutes later, the Cougars cut it down to 14 following a free-throw from Alex Robey. His score would be as close as they would get to CSM.
The Orediggers claimed a 24 point lead with 12:14 left in the half and held a 16 to 24 point lead over the remainder of the game to record their third win of the season.
For USF, the loss marks their second against a NABC top 25 ranked opponent this season.
CSM held a 26-21 advantage in field goals made, but the difference, as it has been much of the season was their 3-point field goals made. They finished with nine, while USF made four.
USF also uncharacteristically loss the battle at the free throw line where they went 13-18, as the Orediggers finished 22-30.
James Rader went 7-7 from the line to post a career high and lead USF with 17 points and three rebounds.
In his second week back, David Maxwell finished 4-7 from the field for 10 points and a team high four rebounds.
The Cougars return to action tomorrow (Nov.26) when they take on Regis University in Denver, Colo. at 7 p.m. (MTN).
