Box Score How It Happened
Playing in front of a packed Gallogly Events Center and on regional television, the #24 Colorado School of Mines (12-2, 10-0) grinded out a 59-55 victory at Colorado-Colorado Springs to win their 12th consecutive game.
Seemingly like how every Mines game has gone this season, the game came down to the final few possessions. Leading 56-55 with under 40 seconds to go, senior Courtney Martin gets a cross court feed from junior Laura Tyree. Martin immediately drove to the goal and beat UCCS star player Brittany Hernandez at the rim for a 58-55 lead. Martin added one more point by way of free throw as the CSM defense withstood three different shots by Hernandez to get the hard fought victory.
The 12-game winning streak looked as though it could have come to an end as the Orediggers found baskets tough sledding in the first half.
UCCS got off to the quick start as they scored the game's first five points before eventually getting out to an 11-4 lead. Junior Laura Tyree finally got the team going after the first media timeout with a three-point play the old fashioned way. In fact, Mines actually got the Mountain Lions lead down to two (13-11) with 2:45 remaining in the period, but UCCS closed out the frame on 5-0 run to take an 18-11 advantage.
Tyree got the Orediggers right back into the game though as she scored a bucket and assisted on another as Mines started the second period on 6-0 run. Towards the end of the run, Courtney Martin rejected UCCS' Brittany Hernandez for what would have been a sure layup. Unfortunately, the Mountain Lions defense made it tough sledding for CSM the rest of the half as they closed out on a 9-0 to take a 27-17 lead into the break.
As poor as Mines shot to end the first half, they came out on fire to start the third quarter. Three pointers from sophomore Elizabeth Tomon and redshirt-freshman Emily Bailey jump started what would be a 16-4 run to give the Orediggers their first lead of the game at 33-31 almost five minutes into the period.
The two teams then traded the lead back-and-forth until Tyree assisted on a Tomon bucket followed by Tomon finding Tyree for a three ball to give Mines a 38-34 lead with 3:06 left in the period. The lead wouldn't last long though as the Mountain Lions ratcheted up the defensive pressure to retake the lead at the end of the quarter, 45-40.
UCCS eventually pushed the lead out to eight 30 seconds into the quarter, but Mines refused to be put away though as Tyree and Bailey brought the team roaring back to retake the lead, 53-50, midway through the quarter.
Notables
- The program-record win streak is now up to 12 with tonight's 59-55 victory.
- The win is also improves the Orediggers record to 6-0 on the road this season.
- While Brittany Hernandez got hers, the Mines defense locked down almost all the other Mountain Lion as they held UCCS to only 27.4% shooting from the field.
- After trailing 27-17 at the half, Mines went on a huge 16-4 run to get back into the game and actually take its first lead at 33-31.
- Big reason for the comeback and the victory was the sensational all-around game from Laura Tyree. The junior from Lakewood, Colo. scored a team-high 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out a season-high eight dimes.
- Also instrumental in the road comeback was Emily Bailey and Coutney Martin. Bailey also scored a team-high 14 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Martin recorded her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also blocked three shots.
- Elizabeth Tomon also gave CSM nine big points off the bench in an increased role tonight.
Up Next
Mines will look to keep the win streak going tomorrow night when they head to downtown Denver for a clash at MSU Denver.
