Background

CSM MEN'S HOOPS FALLS TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY IN RMAC TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS

PUEBLO, Colo. - The seventh-seeded Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 74-61 setback to third-seeded Nebraska-Kearney in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference SHOOTOUT semifinals Saturday afternoon at the Colorado State Fair and Events Center.

CSM, which was playing in the semifinals for the first time since 1996, finishes the season at 15-14 overall.

The Lopers (22-7), who led 36-20 at halftime, advance to the RMAC SHOOTOUT Finals to face fourth-seeded Metro State on Sunday at 12:00 pm in Pueblo. The Roadrunners advanced with a win over top-seeded Fort Hays State in Saturday's other semifinal.

CSM was led by freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) who scored 20 points and added four assists. Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) added 19 points and seven boards for the Orediggers.

UNK's Dusty Jura tallied 25 points, seven boards and four steals, while James Lane chipped in 17 markers and five assists.

For his efforts in the semifinals, Pape was named to the RMAC SHOOTOUT All-Tournament Team becoming the first men's basketball player from CSM to earn All-Tournament honors since Raul Varela in 1996.

Pape was joined on the squad by Jeremy Atwater of Fort Hays State, Jesse Wagstaff and Drew Williamson of Metro State and Chris Dean and Dusty Jura of Nebraska-Kearney. Jura was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player after leading the Lopers to a 71-68 win over Metro State in the championship game.

-- OREDIGGERS -

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS AT FORT LEWIS, 72-71, IN
RMAC SHOOTOUT QUARTERFINALS

DURANGO, Colo. - The seventh-seeded Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team advanced to the RMAC Shootout Semifinals for the first time since 1996 with a 72-71 victory over second-seeded Fort Lewis on Wednesday night in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Shootout Quarterfinals in Whalen Gymnasium.

CSM raced out to a 39-29 halftime lead and held on for the win after FLC cut a seven point deficit (68-61) with 1:41 left to two points (68-66) with 50 seconds remaining.

Freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) led the Orediggers (15-13) with 25 points, while junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) added 14 markers and five assists. Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) added 11 points and tied his career high with seven assists.

Tim Bieri led the Skyhawks (19-8) with 34 points and eight boards.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO METRO STATE, 62-53
RMAC TOURNEY UP NEXT

GOLDEN, Colo. - Metro State raced out to a 35-19 halftime lead and held on to claim a 62-53 win over Colorado School of Mines in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Volk Gym.

CSM was able to slice the deficit to as little as five points (51-46) with 5:23 to play, but could get no closer.

CSM junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) led the Orediggers with 16 points and six boards, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) added 12 points and freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) chipped in 10.

Metro State (19-8, 13-6 RMAC) was paced by Drew Williamson's 19 points and six assists.

CSM (14-13, 9-10 RMAC) will be back on action on Wednesday night in the RMAC Quarterfinals at a time and place to be determined.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS REGIS, 70-63,
TO CLINCH A SPOT IN RMAC TOURNAMENT

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) scored a career-high 26 points and added seven rebounds and three assists to lead the Orediggers to a 70-63 win over Regis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night Volk Gym.

The win improves CSM to 14-12 overall and 9-9 in the RMAC and also clinches a spot for CSM in next week's RMAC Tournament. Its opponent and game time will be determined after tomorrow nights games are complete in the conference.

CSM trailed 28-26 at halftime, but opened the second half on a 14-2 run to claim a 40-31 advantage four minutes into the second half and held on for the win.

CSM senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) finished with 15 points and six dimes, while freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) added 14 points and five boards.

Regis (11-15, 6-12 RMAC) was led by en Schafer who posted 16 points and six rebounds.

The Orediggers will conclude their regular season Saturday night when they host Metro State at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym. Earlier this season, CSM snapped Metro's 47-game home win streak with a 69-65 overtime win on Jan. 20.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 70-57

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team raced out to a 12-0 lead five minutes into the game and never relinquished a double digit lead en route to a 70-57 win over Nebraska-Kearney in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Volk Gymnasium.

The Orediggers, who posted 12 blocked shots, held UNK to 25 percent (16-63) shooting and a season low in points (57). The Lopers came into the contest as the highest scoring team in the conference at 81.0 points per game.

Junior center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) posted 11 points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots to lead CSM. Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added a game-best 20 points, while freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) chipped in 13 points and six boards.

UNK (19-6, 14-3 RMAC) was led by Dusty Jura who recorded 10 points and nine rebounds.

CSM will return to action on Friday night when it hosts Regis at 8:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS IN OVERTIME
AT COLORADO CHRISTIAN, 77-71

LAKEWOOD, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team placed all five starters in double figures en route to a 77-71 overtime win at Colorado Christian on Tuesday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountian) led the way with a season-best 19 points and six boards, while junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added 14 points and four boards.

Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) recorded 13 points, while junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) and freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) chipped in 11 markers each.

CCU (9-15, 6-10 RMAC) was led by Brian Stamer who totaled 23 points and nine boards.

CSM (12-12, 7-9 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday night when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S HOOPS FALLS AT NO. 2 FORT HAYS STATE, 81-60

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State, ranked second in Division II, raced out to a 42-25 lead at halftime and defeated Colorado School of Mines, 81-60, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball action Saturday night in Gross Memorial Coliseum.

CSM (11-12, 6-9 RMAC) was led by senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) who scored 16 points and added five boards and three assists. Junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) added 11 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots, while junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) tallied 13 points.

FHSU (22-1, 15-0 RMAC) received a game-best 18 points from Derrick Turner, while Jeff Pruitt added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Orediggers are slated to return to action on Tuesday night when they travel to Colorado Christian for an 8:00 pm tipoff.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S HOOPS TOPS CHADRON STATE, 47-45

CHADRON, Neb. - Colorado School of Mines junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) tallied 14 points and eight rebounds to lift the Orediggers to a 47-45 win at Chadron State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Thursday night.

Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added 12 points and eight boards, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) chipped in nine points and dropped six dimes.

CSC (9-13, 4-10 RMAC) was led by Adisa Tobin who scored a game-high 17 points.

CSM (11-11, 6-8 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday night with an 8:00 pm tipoff at second-ranked Fort Hays State.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S HOOPS FALLS AT NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 72-62

KEARNEY, Neb. - Colorado School of Mines junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) scored a game-high 20 points and added seven rebounds, but it was not enough as the Orediggers fell at Nebraska-Kearney, 72-62, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK claimed a 33-29 lead at halftimeand extended it to 55-45 with 6:48 to go in the game. CSM would not cut its deficit under 10 points the rest of the way.

CSM junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) tallied 13 points and three assists, while junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) chipped in seven markers, five boards and four blocked shots.

UNK (15-5, 10-2 RMAC) received 19 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists from Dusty Jura. Ryan Moore added 15 points, while Avery Stephenson recorded 12 points and seven boards.

CSM played its second straight game without leading scorer, freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani), as well as sophomore forward Ben Mohr (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer).

CSM (10-11, 5-8 RMAC) will return to action on Thursday night when it travels to Chadron State. Tipoff is slated for 8:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S HOOPS FALLS TO COLORADO CHRISTIAN, 65-62

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team fell to 10-10 overall and 5-7 in conference play with a 65-62 setback to Colorado Christian Tuesday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action in Volk Gym.

The game was knotted at 29-29 at halftime and the second half was just as close as the game was tied six times in the final 20 minutes. CCU held a 58-57 lead with 1:46 left, but extended it to 61-57 as Troy Johnson hit all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt.

The Cougars pushed the lead to six points and held on for the win. CSM's final three points came on a 35-footer from freshman guard Casey O'Hayre (Littleton, Colo.Chatfield) at the final buzzer.

CSM was led by senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) who scored a career-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point land. Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) added 13 points and four boards.

CCU (8-12, 5-7 RMAC) was led by an 18 point, six rebound effort from Brian Stamer. Johnson chipped in 12 points, while Micah Kohls added 11 markers and five boards.

CSM will return to action on Friday night when it plays at Nebraska-Kearney. Tipoff is slated for 8:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S HOOPS TOPS CHADRON STATE, 52-42

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) tallied 12 points, and six rebounds and tied a career-high with seven assists to lead the Orediggers to a 52-42 win over Chadron State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Volk Gym.

Freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) added a game-best 18 points, while junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) recorded a career-best 12 rebounds.

CSC (8-11, 3-8 RMAC) was led by Adisa Tobin who scored 15 points.

CSM (10-9, 5-6 RMAC) will return to action on Tuesday night when it hosts Colorado Christian at 8:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO
SIXTH-RANKED FORT HAYS STATE, 56-52

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team dropped a 56-52 decision to sixth-ranked Fort Hays State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference basketball action Friday night in Volk Gymnasium.

CSM (9-9, 4-6 RMAC) led for the majority of the first half, but FHSU's Maurice Henson hit a three-pointer with four seconds to go to give the Tigers a 20-19 lead at halftime.

FHSU (17-1, 10-0 RMAC) took a 10-point lead (38-28) with 13:33 to play in the game, however, the Orediggers clawed back and knotted the game at 39-39 just four minutes later.

Leading 45-44 with 5:31 to play, the Tigers scored the next five points, but jumper by CSM junior forward Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) cut the Tiger lead to 50-46 with 3:56 to play. However, Tyrone Shephard nailed a three-pointer from the corner as the shot clock expired to push the Hays lead to seven.

CSM was led by freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) who scored a game-best 17 points and added five rebounds. Elseth finished with 10 points and nine boards.

FHSU was led by Derrick Graham who scored 11 points. He was the only Tiger in double figures, but a total of nine Tigers found the scoring column. Jeff Pruitt grabbed a game-most 12 rebounds.

CSM is slated to return to action Saturday night when it hosts Chadron State at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL SPLITS TWO ROAD GAMES
Orediggers Snap Metro State's 47-Game Home Win Streak

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team split a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road games over the weekend.

On Friday night, CSM snapped Metro State's 47-game home win streak with a 69-65 overtime win at the Auraria Events Center. Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) led the way as he scored 17 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three-point land. Junior center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) added a double-double with a career-high 16 points and 10 boards.

On Saturday night, the Orediggers fell at Regis, 77-58. Freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) scored a team-best 21 points.

CSM (9-8, 4-5 RMAC) will return to action on Friday night when it hosts Fort Hays State at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS CSU-PUEBLO, 80-64

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team placed five players in double figures and claimed an 80-64 victory over Colorado State-Pueblo in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Volk Gymnasium.

Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) scored a team-high 16 points and added four rebounds. Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern JC) added 15 points and a career-best seven assists, while junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) chipped in 13 points, four boards and four assists.

Freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) scored 12 points and junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) tallied 11 points and nine boards off the bench.

CSU-P (6-9, 2-5 RMAC) was led by Brett Cloepfil who scored 24 points off the bench.

CSM is slated to return to action on Friday night when it travels to Metro State for a 7:00 pm game.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS UCCS, 96-67

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) hit the 20-point mark for the fifth straight game and three other Orediggers scored in double figures as CSM handed UC-Colorado Springs a 96-67 setback in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night at The Lions' Den.

Pape scored his 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field and 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added 17 points and three boards, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) chipped in 12 points, six boards and three assists. Freshman guard Grant Gunhus (Fargo, N.D./Park Christian) scored a career-high 11 points as he hit 3-of-4 three pointers.

UCCS (1-11, 1-5 RMAC) was led by Patrick Hannaway who totaled 16 points and eight rebounds.

CSM (7-7, 2-4 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday night when it hosts CSU-Pueblo at 8:00 pm in Volk Gym.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS AT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS, 73-69

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team slipped to 6-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play with a 73-69 setback at New Mexico Highlands in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Thursday night at the John A. Wilson Complex.

CSM, which trailed 30-27 at the half, was led by freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) who scored a game-best 22 points and added four assists. For Pape, it was his fourth straight game of scoring at least 20 points.

Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added 11 points and nine boards, while junior center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) chipped in six points and eight boards off the bench.

NMHU (6-6, 2-3 RMAC) was led by Donald Gray who produced a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards. Jeremy Lopez tallied 13 points and seven rebounds, while Aaron Romero (12) and Robbie Lujan (11) also scored in double digits.

The Orediggers will return to action on Saturday night when they travel to UC-Colorado Springs for an 8:00 pm tipoff.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO NORTH DAKOTA, 76-71

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) scored a career high 29 points and junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) added 22 points and seven boards, but it was not enough as the Orediggers fell to North Dakota, 76-71, in the final game on the CSM/Metro State New Year's Classic on Friday night in Volk Gym.

UND extended a 30-25 halftime lead to as many as 14 points (53-39) with 11:17 to play. However, the Orediggers cut the deficit to 67-64 on a pair of free throws from Elseth with 1:21 to play. But CSM could get no closer as UND hit 9-of-13 free throws in the final minute.

North Dakota was led by Jimmy Hoy who posted 19 points and nine boards, while Mike Gutter added 17 markers.

In Friday's first game, Metro State handed the University of Mary a 71-55 setback as Drew Williamson scored 21 points and Michael Bahl added seven points, a game-best 10 rebounds and six assists. Lance Doppler led Mary with 21 markers.

CSM will return to action on Jan. 5 when it travels to New Mexico Highlands for an 8:00 pm game.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS MARY, 74-64

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team improved to 6-5 overall with a 74-64 win over the University of Mary in the first game of the CSM/Metro State New Year's Classic at the Auraria Events Center on Thursday evening.

CSM was led by freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) who totaled 23 points, six assists and five boards. Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) added 15 points, six boards and four dimes, while junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) chipped in 14 poitns and seven rebounds.

Mary (6-10) was led by John Burris who scored 13 points.

CSM will return to action on Friday night when it hosts North Dakota at 7:00 pm in Volk Gym in the final day of the Classic. Metro State will play Mary at 5:00 pm in Volk Gym. Metro State handed North Dakota a 73-46 setback in Thursday's other game.

-- OREDIGGERS --

MINES MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO ADAMS STATE, 60-55
Kyle Pape Scores Career High 24 Points in Losing Effort

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) scored a career-high 24 points and added five rebounds, but it was not enough as the Orediggers fell to Adams State, 60-55, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Volk Gymnasium.

ASC (5-3, 3-1 RMAC) claimed a 10-point lead (42-32) with 13:44 to play, but CSM was able to knot the game at 44-44 with 6:30 left on a pair of free throws from Pape.

With the game tied 55-55, ASC's Roman Moniak hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds to play and after a CSM missed three pointer on the other end, ASC's Wes Jensen added a pair of free throws with one second left to provide the final margin.

CSM (5-5, 1-3 RMAC) received seven points and eight boards from junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett), while junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) chipped in eight points.

Greg Baker scored a team-best 20 points for the Grizzlies, while Jensen added a double-double of 10 points and a game-best 10 boards.

CSM will return to action after the holiday break when it plays the University of Mary on Dec. 29 at Metro State. CSM will then host North Dakota the following night at 7:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS IN OVERTIME TO FORT LEWIS, 63-61

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team had its seven game home winning streak snapped with a 63-61 overtime setback to Fort Lewis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night in Volk Gymnasium.

It was also just the second loss in the last 21 home games for the Orediggers.

CSM trailed by five points (46-41) midway through the second half, but clawed back and knotted the game at 54-54 with 28 seconds to play as sophomore forward Ben Mohr (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) hit 1-of-2 free throws. FLC had a chance to win the game, but Ryan Johnson's jumper was no good.

CSM (5-4, 1-2 RMAC) took a 60-55 lead with 1:40 to play in overtime, but saw the Skyhawks cut it to 60-58 on a three-point play from Gerald Bryant. After a CSM free throw, the Skyhawks again sliced the lead to one (61-60) on a layup from Johnson.

The Orediggers had a chance to extend the lead, but could not convert and Johnson hit another layup to give the Skyhawks a 62-61 lead and Guy Meyer hit 1-of-2 free throws with 3.9 seconds left to preserve the win.

CSM was led by junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) who scored 15 points and added six rebounds. Junior center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) added four points, a game-best nine rebounds and five assists, while freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) tallied 13 points and seven boards.

Tim Bieri tied Elseth for game-high honors with 15 points.

CSM will return to action tomorrow night with an 8:00 pm game against Adams State.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL SPLITS TWO ROAD GAMES
FALLS AT MESA STATE AND WINS AT WESTERN STATE

GUNNISON, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines opened the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule by splitting a pair of road games over the weekend. On Friday night, CSM was handed a 69-50 setback at Mesa State, but came back to defeat Western State, 68-52, on Saturday night.

Freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) led the way with 11 points in the loss to the Mavericks, while junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Snow JC) totaled 22 points and five boards in Saturday's win over the Mountaineers.

CSM (5-3, 1-1 RMAC) will return to action on Friday night when it hosts Fort Lewis at 8:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS GWYNEDD MERCY, 87-64

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines Head Men's Basketball Coach Pryor Orser earned his 50th career win with an 87-64 triumph over Gwynedd Mercy in nonconference action Saturday night in Volk Gymnasium in day two of the Colorado School of Mines/Colorado College Classic.

CSM (4-2) was led by junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Oregon State) who posted his first career double-double with 10 points and a game-best 11 rebounds. Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) added a game-best 17 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) added 15 points and six assists.

GMC (1-5) was led by Tom Keenan's 14 points off the bench.

CSM will return to action next Friday when it travels to Mesa State for an 8:00 pm tipoff.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS BETHANY LUTHERAN, 93-66

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball had five players in double figures en route to a 93-66 victory over Bethany Lutheran on Friday night in Volk Gymnasium in the opening day of the Colorado School of Mines/Colorado College Classic.

CSM, which led 53-31 at halftime, received a career-best 19 points from freshman guard Kyle Pape (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani). Junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) added 15 points and four rebounds, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) chipped in 11 points and five assists.

Junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) tallied 12 points and five rebounds, while sophomore forward Ben Mohr (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) added 10 markers off the bench.

BLC (1-4) was led by Alfonso Mayfield who matched Pape's 19 points for game-best.

CSM will return to action Saturday night when it hosts Gwynedd Mercy in day two of the CSM/CC Classic. Tipoff is slated for 8:00 pm in Volk Gym.

GWC (1-4) knocked off Colorado College (2-3) in Friday's opener, 81-71, behind Chris DelBrocco who totaled 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

CC will take on Bethany Lutheran at 4:00 pm on Saturday in Volk Gym.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS AT WESTERN WASHINGTON, 100-66

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team fell at fourth-ranked Western Washington, 100-66, on Saturday night in the second day of the Western Washington University/Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Men's Basketball Classic on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

CSM (2-2) was led by junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Oregon State) who totaled 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast CC) added 11 points.

For his efforts, Elseth was named to the All-Tournament Team.

WWU (3-1) was paced by Tournament MVP Ryan Diggs who scored 29 points.

CSM will return to action on Friday when it hosts Bethany Lutheran at 8:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO ST. MARTIN'S, 65-63

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team fell to St. Martin's, 65-63, on Friday evening in the first day of the Western Washington University/Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Men's Basketball Classic on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

CSM led 33-32 at halftime, but St. Martin's gained a 55-45 lead with 7:13 to play in the game. However, the Orediggers were able to respond and tied the game two times in the final three minutes. Jake Linton then hit two free throws with 24.4 seconds left to put St. Martin's up 64-62. CSM junior forward Davey Iverson (Winnett, Mont./Winnett) was then fouled with 10 seconds to play and hit one of two free throws.

Linton then split another pair of foul shots to give his squad the final points of the game.

CSM (2-1) was led by junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) who posted game highs of 18 points and nine rebounds, while Iverson added 10 markers.

St. Martin's (2-2) received 15 points from Linton.

The Orediggers will return to action on Saturday night when they play at Western Washington in day two of the classic.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS 24TH-RANKED PITTSBURG STATE, 52-39

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team knocked off its second nationally-ranked opponent in as many nights with a 52-39 triumph over 24th-ranked Pittsburg State on Saturday night in day two of the Colorado School of Mines Classic in Volk Gymnasium.

CSM, which defeated 13th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Friday night, led Pitt, 28-21 at the half. However, the Gorillas sliced the lead to 30-29 with 13:39 to play in the game on a layup from Eddie Jackson.

But the Orediggers responded by outscoring Pitt, 14-4, over the next 10 minutes to take a 44-33 lead with 3:12 to play.

CSM (2-0) was led by junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) who scored a game-best 11 points. Junior center Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Oregon State) added 10 points and seven boards, while senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeastern J.C.) chipped in eight points, five assists and three steals.

PSU (0-2) was led by Andy Wachter who scored 10 points and Edward Morris who totaled six points and 13 rebounds. The Orediggers also held PSU guard Eddie Jackson, a Preseason All-American, in check as he scored just six points on 2-of-17 shooting.

CSM will return to action on Friday when it plays St. Martin's at Western Washington. Tipoff is slated for 3:00 pm.

In Friday's first game at CSM, Mesa State improved to 2-0 with an 88-73 win over 13th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha (1-4). Andy Classick paced Mesa with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Calvin Kapels scored 17 for UNO.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM MEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS 13th-RANKED NEBRASKA-OMAHA, 55-52

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team opened the 2005-06 season with a 55-52 win over 13th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha in the second game of Friday's Colorado School of Mines Classic in Volk Gymnasium.

CSM held a 52-42 lead with 5:31 to play, but the Mavericks (1-3) pulled to within54-52 with 26 seconds to play on a free throw by Michael Jenkins.

CSM junior guard Franklin Ryk (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) then hit the front end of a 1-and-1 before missing the second. UNO had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but could not hit as time expired.

CSM junior forward Ian Elseth (Grants Pass, Ore./Oregon State) led the Orediggers with 10 points and six rebounds. Senior guard Travis Test (Pierce, Neb./Northeast JC) added nine points, four boards and three assists, while junior center Clayton Moores (Denver, Colo./Ranum) chipped in eight points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench.

UNO received a game-high 14 points from Jenkins, while Ryan Curtis added seven points and eight rebounds.

CSM will return to action on Saturday night when it hosts Pittsburg State at 8:00 pm in Volk Gymnasium. The Gorillas fell to Mesa State, 77-62, in Friday's opener as the Mavericks placed five players in double figures.

-- OREDIGGERS --