PUEBLO – Colorado School of Mines women's basketball led by seven points at halftime, but lost a closely contested, back-and-forth battle to Oklahoma Christian its season-opener Friday at the 30th Annual Al Kaly Shriners' Classic in Pueblo.

Mines (0-1) built a nine-point lead with 25 seconds left in the first half and took a 30-23 margin into the break, hitting 41.2 percent (14-of-34) and limiting Oklahoma Christian to just 24.2 percent (8-of-33) shooting and 1-of-13 (.077) on three-pointers.

The Orediggers stayed in front until the second of back-to-back threes by Jasmine Hinton put the Lady Eagles in front 36-34 with 12:15 to play.

Two lead changes and two ties followed over the next 4:59 before a 9-1 run sparked OCU to its largest lead of the game at 57-48. Mines pulled back within four at 58-54 with 1:55 remaining, and again at 60-56; however four consecutive free throws in the waning seconds by Logan McKee kept the Lady Eagles undefeated at 3-0.

McKee converted all nine free throw tries and scored 18 of her game-high 19 points in the half. Roz Hamilton added an 8-of-10 effort at the stripe, finishing with 14. As a unit, OC went 20-of-26 (.769) at the line, including 14-of-18 in the second.

Freshman Laura Tyree paced the Orediggers with 14 points off the bench and added four assists, two rebounds and two steals in her collegiate debut.

Senior Courtney Gallo chipped in 12 with a game-high five assists and team-best tying six rebounds, while senior frontcourt mates Allie Grazulis and Tory Langas posted nine and eight, respectively, and combined for 10 on the glass.

Mines finished the afternoon 24-of-65 (.369) overall from the floor.

The Orediggers conclude the tournament at 1 p.m. tomorrow against McMurry at Massari Arena.