PUEBLO – Colorado School of Mines women's basketball claimed its first win of the season Saturday, slowing McMurry 62-49 at the 30th Annual Al Kaly Shriners' Classic at Massari Arena in Pueblo.
The Orediggers (1-1) opened with the game's first six points and steadily built the lead to 23-9 with 9:38 left in the half. The advantage stayed at double digits until back-to-back threes by Keshia Collins in the final 24 seconds resulted in a 34-27 halftime lead for Mines.
McMurry twice clawed to within four in the initial 6:25 of the second half; however 50.0 percent shooting (9-of-18) in the frame, including a combined 5-of-7 (.714) from outside the arc by freshman Laura Tyree, junior Sam Rusk and seniors Courtney Gallo and Tory Langas, kept the Orediggers in front by at least nine points over the last 11:04.
Mines finished the afternoon 19-of-45 (.422) and 6-of-12 on three-pointers, and allowed less than 30.0 percent shooting for a second time, limiting the War Hawks (0-4) to only a 28.3 percent (17-of-60) clip and 3-of-15 (.200) tally from distance.
Through two games, the Orediggers have held opponents to a three-point field goal conversion rate of just 21.4 percent (9-of-42).
Tyree was the top Oredigger in terms of scoring for the second straight game, leading three in double figures with a season-best 17 and game-high 7-of-8 free throws off the bench.
Named to the Shriners' Classic All-Tournament Team, Tyree averaged 15.5 points per game between the two weekend contests. She had 14 points with four assists, two rebounds and two steals in her collegiate debut Friday against Oklahoma Christian.
Seniors Allie Grazulis and Katie Clements topped double digits for the first time this season with 15 and 11, respectively, while Grazulis led Mines with seven rebounds and Clements shared the team-high with Langas with three assists. Gallo added eight points.
The lone War Hawk in double figures, Collins shot her way to a game-high 25 points on 9-of-22 field goals and accounted for six of the team's seven steals.
The women are idle next weekend and open their home schedule Nov. 29-30 with the four-team Mines Thanksgiving Classic at Lockridge Arena, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday against Trevecca Nazarene.
