ALAMOSA – Guided by one of its most stout defensive performances this season, the Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team snapped a two-game skid Friday evening, slowing Adams State a 58-46 win at Plachy Hall in Alamosa.
The Orediggers (11-7, 8-4 RMAC) boasted defensive season-bests in points and field goals allowed, limiting the Grizzlies to just 14 made baskets, including three over the game's final 17:07, on 32.6 percent (14-of-43) shooting.
ASU's field goal percentage was the second-lowest by a Mines opponent this season, while its 33 rebounds were the second-fewest yielded by the Orediggers.
The women also swatted a season-best eight shots – most since eight blocks against Fort Lewis on Feb. 17, 2012 – bettering the previous mark of four set versus McMurry in November.
Back-to-back jumpers in the lane at the start of the second half by Kelly Hernandez pulled Adams State within 33-32, but the Orediggers scored 17 of the next 22 points and outscored the Grizzlies 25-to-14 the rest of the way to secure their sixth win away from home and third in the last four road dates.
The Grizzlies (6-10, 3-9 RMAC) led 6-4 less than three minutes into the game before Mines put together a 17-to-5 run over the ensuing 6:46 for its largest lead of the opening frame. ASU cut the deficit to four on two occasions, yet the Orediggers twice went ahead nine in the final 4:44 and took a 33-28 lead into the break.
Despite connecting on 22-of-62 (35.5 percent) from the floor and 3-of-11 (30.0 percent) on three-pointers, Mines had four starters reach double figures for the fourth time this season.
Junior Allie Grazulis and sophomore Taylor Helbig tied for the game-high with 14 points apiece. Grazulis led all players with eight rebounds to go along with three assists and a career-best two blocks, while Helbig added six boards, three assists and two steals to her stat line.
Junior Tory Langas finished with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, collected five rebounds and matched her career-high with three blocked shots.
Senior Angie Charchalis moved within one of tying Brecca Gaffney (2006-11) for fourth on the all-time Mines career scoring list at 1,273 career points with 10. She also notched five boards, three assists and three steals.
Hernandez was the lone Grizzly in double figures with 11 and tied for the team-high with six rebounds.
The women conclude their road swing through southern Colorado with a trip to Durango tomorrow for a 5:30 p.m. tip with Fort Lewis (8-8, 7-5 RMAC) at Whalen Gymnasium.
