LAKEWOOD – Colorado School of Mines women's basketball closed a 19-point second half deficit to six Saturday against Colorado Christian, but the valiant comeback bid came up short as the Orediggers fell 65-53 in the regular season finale in Lakewood.

Faced with a 55-36 hole with 9:16 remaining, Mines (11-15, 10-12 RMAC) pulled within 55-48 on a 12-0 spurt, led by five points from senior Courtney Gallo and a combined 5-of-6 effort at the line.

A fast break run out by senior Allie Grazulis brought the score to 57-51 with 4:24 left, before the Cougars (15-11, 13-9 RMAC) ended the evening with eight of the game's final 10 points.  

Gallo finished her final game with a team-high 16 points on 5-of-10 field goals and 3-of-7 three-pointers, while Grazulis shared the game-high with 11 rebounds to go with seven points and two steals.

Senior Katie Clements added nine points and three rebounds.

A quick pace to start, Mines built a 6-0 lead 2:50 in with makes on three of its first six attempts. CCU scored six unanswered to take its first lead at 12-10, and following a pair of game-tying mid-range jumpers by freshman Laura Tyree, extended the advantage to double figures at 33-23 with 1:40 to play.  

CCU held the Orediggers to 34.5 (20-of-58) shooting and only 4-of-17 (.235) makes from the outside, converting 20 turnovers into 25 points.  

Christina Whitelaw had a triple-double of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals to lead the Cougars. Kate Louthan tallied 16 points and Taylor Torres 11.

The first loss in three seasons at the CCU Event Center brought to a close the Silver-and-Blue careers of Clements, Gallo, Grazulis, senior Catherine Jimenez, senior Tory Langas and junior Laura Brigham.