GRAND JUNCTION – Erika Musante laid in a putback at the rim as time expired and Colorado Mesa narrowly hung on for a 44-42 win over Colorado School of Mines in Saturday women's basketball action at Brownson Arena in Grand Junction.

Sophomore Laura Tyree, who rallied the Orediggers from a 42-38 deficit with four straight points in a 39-second span, provided the women a chance at the last possession with her game-leading fifth steal with 30 seconds to play.

However, CMU's Shanna Halalilo created a turnover 21 seconds later, setting up the buzzer beater by Musante.

Tyree led all scorers with 16 points. Junior Courtney Martin posted nine and eight rebounds.

Mines forced the RMAC's second-ranked scoring offense (70.6 ppg) into a season-low 25.8 percent (16-of-62) clip and only 4-of-19 (.211) makes from outside. The Mavericks (10-2, 7-1 RMAC) closed 46-32 on rebounds, including 21-6 on the offensive glass on the way to a 15-3 advantage in second chance points.

Despite 6-of-22 (.273) shooting and no field goals over the final 8:22 of the first half, Mines entered the break down just 24-20. Freshman Kristin Rydell initiated the scoring with a three-pointer 1:29 in before a 16-3 run left the Mavericks in front 10 less than 5:30 later.

The Orediggers (6-7, 1-6 RMAC) reclaimed the lead, 30-29, early in the second as Rydell squared up her second triple of the night and eventually extended the margin to 38-33 with 7:40 remaining. The women finished 14-of-43 (.326) overall and 3-of-9 (.333) outside.

Halalilo and Laurel Kasel shared the CMU-lead with 10 points.

Mines begins a four-game homestand at 6 p.m. next Friday, Jan. 9 against Regis at Lockridge Arena.