GOLDEN — There was no argument from either side just when Colorado School of Mines showed why it’s carrying the label of the top team in the country in NCAA Division II men’s basketball.
With a packed crowd of 2,832 fans in Lockridge Arena and an upstart Augustana Vikings team looking as if it might knock the Orediggers off their perch, Mines simply shifted gears and tucked away an 82-69 victory Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Central Regional tournament.
The convincing rally came midway through the second half when the Vikings came back to tie the score at 47 and were still hanging around at 51-49 with 12:35 left in the game. But a 15-5 run, featuring two 3-point baskets by Brian Muller, a pair of free throws by Muller and a clutch second-chance field goal by Luke Meisch, pushed the Orediggers (28-2) to a 65-54 lead and a clear lane to the finish line over the final six minutes of the game.
“When we’re making plays on defense, we can push the ball up the floor and be effective,” Muller said of the key run.
The victory puts Mines in the semifinals today against the winner of the Moorhead State-Southwest Minnesota State game.
Augustana coach Tom Billeter could only blink and call a timeout in response to the quickness of the Mines rally.
“I wasn’t surprised, but I was unhappy at what happened,” Billeter said. “I knew if they got up eight or 10 late in the game, it would be tough on us. They made shots when they had to have them.”
Mines coach Pryor Orser credited a combined effort by his starters and bench players.
“Our team has a lot of weapons,” Orser said. “We attack the basket as well as from the perimeter.”
Billeter agreed that Mines has a huge advantage with a deep bench that can add points.
Mines players look at their ranking as placing a target on their backs.
“We don’t think much about it,” said forward Dale Minschwaner. “We can’t always be saying congratulations to each other.”
