GOLDEN, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team was tied at half, but Colorado School of Mines opened the second half on a 6-0 run on their way to the 77-63 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday night.


Western New Mexico University (WNMU) opened the scoring on a layup from Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge High School). It was the first two of a career-high 34 points for Carter on the night.


Colorado School of Mines (CSM) would later jump out to an 11-6 lead at the 14:16 mark.


WNMU (10-15, 9-12 RMAC) began a 9-0 run trailing 14-9 with Brelan Berry (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) starting the run with a layup. Carter completed a steal and fastbreak with a dunk, which Ryan Crane (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek High School) added to that a three and Berry finished what he started with another layup to conclude the run and put the Mustangs in front, 18-14, at the midway point of the first half.


CSM (15-10, 12-9 RMAC) would go back up by five, 27-22, with three minutes to go before halftime when WNMU would make another charge.


Carter went inside for a layup and after two Juan Suarez (Nogales, AZ/Nogales High School) free throws, Carter drilled a three-pointer to help send WNMU into the locker room tied at 31.


CSM opened the second stanza on a 6-0 run over the first two minutes for a 37-31 lead.


From that point on, the Orediggers would control the half, as the Mustangs would keep the game close, but could never quite get all the way back in the contest.


WNMU would get back to within seven, 47-40, on a jumper from Carter at the 12:05 mark.


Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI/St. Phillip Catholic Central High School) connected on a deep three at the 7:42 mark leaving CSM ahead, 53-47.


That would be as close as WNMU would get the rest of the way as Suarez hit two from the charity stripe at the 4:09 to bring WNMU within seven, 60-53, when CSM went on a 5-0 run to put the game out of reach.


Carter did all he could to try and bring the Mustangs back, as he scored the final 10 points for WNMU.


Carter's 34 bests his previous mark of 29 scored earlier this season at Adams State. He made 14-of-24 from the field, including a 4-for-6 effort from downtown. He was the only Mustang in double-figures.


Luke Meisch led CSM with 20 points. CSM shot well from the field, making 47.4 percent (27-57), while WNMU made 36.9 percent (24-65). WNMU made two more three-pointers (7-5) and CSM led in free throws made (18-8). CSM controlled the boards (47-31), while WNMU did a better job taking care of the ball, turning it over just seven times to 14 for CSM.


With the loss, it clutters the bottom of the RMAC in regards to the conference tournament seeding. Western State upset Colorado Mesa in Gunnison Saturday to move to 9-11 in the conference and into the eighth slot. Colorado Christian defeated New Mexico Highlands to move to 9-12 and tie WNMU for ninth. New Mexico Highlands remains in seventh at 10-11. Western State concludes the season at home against Fort Lewis and Adams State. Colorado Christian will play at Colorado Mines, while WNMU and New Mexico Highlands will battle.


WNMU will host in-state rival New Mexico Highlands on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. inside Drag's Court. After the game, the five WNMU seniors Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge High School), Juan Suarez (Nogales, AZ/Nogales High School), Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI/St. Phillip Catholic Central High School), Lucio Luttrell (Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces High School) and Daryl Littleton (Tucson, AZ/Palo Verde High School), along with Director of Athletics/Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Coleman will be honored in their final home game.