CHADRON, Neb. - #21/23 Colorado School of Mines erased a 13-point deficit to take a late lead and hold off a tough Chadron State team, 82-75, to stretch its win streak to 15 games.

The Orediggers (16-3, 13-0 RMAC) moved four games ahead of the field in the RMAC standings with the gutsy win over the upstart Eagles (10-9, 8-5 RMAC), who had a four-game win streak of their own heading into Saturday.

Mines relied on double-doubles from Brendan Sullivan (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Michael Glen (15 points, 10 rebounds) to go with 18 points from Ben Clare as they overcame an ice-cold first half to catch the Eagles late. Mason Baker scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half, including seven during a crucial 8-2 run late in the game.

The Eagles led nearly the entire way as Mines was held to just 11-of-28 (.393) shooting in the first half, and that had the Orediggers facing their largest halftime deficit of the year at 43-32.

Mines began the second half on a 12-4 run to draw within 47-44 at the 13:54 mark, but CSC hung onto the lead until Baker sparked that 8-2 run beginning at the 6:23 mark to give Mines their first lead since the opening minutes, 67-66, with 3:34 remaining. Back-to-back jumpers from Clare made it a 74-70 game with 1:46 to play, and from there it was a game of free throws as Chadron was held without a field goal for a 6:14 span. Mines went 6-for-8 at the line thanks to Ben Sonnefeld and Brendan Sullivan in the last 1:28, and Sullivan's dunk from Sonnefeld sealed the win with nine seconds remaining.

NOTABLES
- The 15-game win streak is now the second-longest in program history after a 17-game run in 2011-12. Mines' 13-0 start to RMAC play is their best ever.
- Mines outscored Chadron 50-32 in the second half after trailing 43-32 at the break. Yet again, it was a defensive adjustment in the second half that paid dividends as Mines shot .615 after the break to CSC's .391.
- The 11-point halftime deficit was the largest faced by Mines this season; they also came back to win from seven down at Adams State, and trailed St. Mary's by four.
- The Orediggers went to the line a season-high 37 times and made 26. The Eagles were 22-of-30.
- Mines dominated the glass leading 35-25 on rebounding, including 10-4 on the offensive glass. 
- Glen's double-double was his third in a row and the 11th of his career.
- The last time Mines had two players record double-doubles was Feb. 17, 2017 at Fort Lewis when Ben Clare had 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Caleb Waitsman scored 20 with 11 boards.
- The last time two Orediggers had double-digit rebounds in a game was against Fort Lewis last season when both Ben Sonnefeld and Adam Laine corralled 10. 
- Sonnefeld became the fourth player in program history to reach 400 career assists with his second dish of the game; he now has 401 for his career, which ranks fourth all-time. 
- Chadron State had five players in double figures led by Michael Sparks' 12 points and Jeremy Ruffin's 11-point, 11-rebound effort. 

NEXT UP
Mines stays on the road to visit CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands next Friday and Saturday.