GOLDEN, CO – After an offensive explosion in the first half from both sides, the home team pulled away.

Colorado School of Mines, playing their first RMAC home game of the season, used a strong second half to grab a 97-80 win against Colorado Christian on Saturday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cougars were nearly unconscious from the field in the early going. They hit 14 of their first 18 field goal attempts, and when Jeremiah Hanson knocked down a three-pointer with 6:26 left until halftime they held a 38-29 lead.

From that moment forward the home team was able to chip away at their deficit. They finished the half on a 26-12 scoring spurt to take a 55-50 edge into the locker room. Colorado School of Mines scored the final eight points of the frame to aid in the five-point halftime edge. During the first 20 minutes the Cougars went 21-for-30 from the floor (70 percent) while Colorado School of Mines nailed 21 of their 29 attempts (72.4 percent).

The Orediggers continued their offensive prowess as the second half began. They hit five of their first seven jump shots to push their lead to 67-53 and force a Colorado Christian timeout with 15:51 remaining. As the game unfolded down the stretch the Cougars weren't able to get their deficit down to single digits.

In the final 20 minutes the home team went 14-for-28 from the field while the Cougars hit eight of their 28 field goal attempts. After hitting six three-pointers in the first half, Colorado Christian didn't hit a shot from deep in the final frame.

COUGAR LEADERS: A host of players scored in double figures with Jeremiah Hanson's 18-point effort leading the way. Braxton Tucker (15) and Justin Engesser (13) also found their way into the scoring leaders.

Spencer Hoffman scored a career best 11 points while playing 21 minutes off the bench. The freshman posted his first double-double with a game high 11 rebounds.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

- The 50-point first half was the Cougars best effort under head coach Jeff Hironaka
- Colorado School of Mines scored 56 points in the paint
- For the sixth time this season, Colorado Christian hit at least 50 percent of their field goal attempts
- The 80-point effort was an RMAC season best for the Cougars

UP NEXT: The Cougars conclude the 2018 portion of their slate with a 3 p.m. contest tomorrow at UC Colorado Springs.