GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines junior guard Kevin Wagstaff (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rampart) scored a career-high 33 points and added four rebounds, four assists and four steals as the Oredigger men's basketball team opened the 2004-05 season with a 91-80 nonconfernce win over Johnson and Wales Monday night in Volk Gymnasium.

The Orediggers raced out to a 49-29 lead at intermission behind 14 points from sophomore guard Franklin Ryk (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rocky Mountain). However, the Wildcats trimmed the lead to four points (67-63) with 8:32 to play in the game, but would get no closer as Mines regained a 10 point lead (81-71) with 1:28 to play on a pair of free throws by Ryk.

Ryk finished with 21 points and six rebounds to aid Wagstaff. Senior forward Farris Broussard (San Jose, Calif./Independence) added 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while sophomore center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) chipped in three points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots off the bench.

J&W (4-3) was led by Donald Whitfield who posted 26 points and six assists. Mike Gomez added 23 points, while Will Butler contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.

Mines is slated to return to action on Friday when it hosts Minnesota State-Moorhead at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym. On Saturday, CSM will play host to Southwest Baptist at 8:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --