DENVER - The Regis University women's basketball team (5-3,1-1 RMAC) took their first conference win of the season versus the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (0-8,0-2 RMAC), Saturday night at the Regis Field House. The team excelled behind stellar 15-point performances from both graduate student Tashika Burrell and junior Josey Ryan in the 75-69 win.

How it Happened: After falling behind by five points in the first period, Regis raced out on a 10-3 run which was capped by a huge 3-pointer from Ryan to make the score 10-8, RU. The Hardrockers regained the lead however as the period progressed, but a layup from senior Erin Stroberg made it just a one-point game as the opening period ended.

SDSMT came back with vengeance in the second frame as they inflated their lead to 10 points after a 17-8 run and led 41-33 at the half. In the third period, Regis stuck around and didn't allow the Hardrockers to get back to a double-digit lead. With both teams shooting 33 percent from the field, the Rangers got back within two when Burrell got a pair at the charity strip just before the third came to a close.

In the fourth and final period, RU played some of their best defense of the game as they held SDSMT to their second-lowest shooting percentage of the night. On the offensive side of the floor, the Rangers completed the fourth-period encore with a 22-14 run to put the Hardrockers away, 75-69, registering their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) win.     

Game Notes: The teams were even on the glass with 39 rebounds each. But RU played more disciplined basketball by having five fewer turnovers than SDSMT. 

Ryan (5-8 FG, 2-3 3-PT) totaled 15 points and added a pair of boards and assists to put a bow on her night.

Burrell (5-12 FG, 1-5 3-PT) nabbed a career-high seven steals along with her 15 points. She also had three rebounds and two assists in the win.

Junior Sam Deem (4-10 FG, 2-3 3-PT) added a season-high 10 points off the bench and took home seven boards.

Junior Sydney Speights (2-8 FG) grabbed five rebounds and scored nine points. 

Stroberg (3-7 FG) registered eight points and eight rebounds.

Junior Morgan L. Smith (3-5 FG, 0-1 3-PT) had six boards and six points. 

Up Next for the Rangers: RU will travel to Las Vegas, N.M. and face the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (3-5,0-2 RMAC) on Dec. 11. Tip is set for 5 p.m.