Mines vs. Augustana, Friday, 5 p.m. MST [Live Stats]
Mines vs. Mary, Saturday, 12:15 p.m. MST [Live Stats]
Mines vs. Simon Fraser, Sunday, 5 p.m. MST [Live Stats]

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Mines women's basketball kicks offs the 2016-17 campaigns out in California for the D-II Tip-Off Classic!

THEY'RE BACK!
Mines women's basketball returns this weekend as they head west to the D-II Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif. The Orediggers look to build on last year's record breaking season with challenging games against Augustana, Mary and Simon Fraser this weekend.

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE
Speaking of last season, the Orediggers put together quite possibly the greatest season in program history in 2015-16. Mines claimed the first outright RMAC Championship in program history last season as they posted program-bests in victories (21), conference wins (19) and consecutive victories (13). RMAC Coach of the Year Brittany Simpson along with All-RMAC honorees Courtney Martin, Laura Tyree and Anna Kollmorgen also led Mines to the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in school history.

LET'S RUN IT BACK
Coach Simpson and the Orediggers will attempt to run last season's success back again with practically the same squad. While losing the low-post presence of Courtney Martin and the leadership of Brianna Robinson will be tough, Mines returns four starters and 11 varsity letterman in total. A better way to look at it is, Mines returns 82% of its points, 83% of its rebounds and 82% its assists.

PRESEASON ACCOLADES
While they may be the defending RMAC Champions, Mines was picked second in the RMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Orediggers received 166 total points and four of the 15 first-place nods. RMAC Tournament Champion was picked to win the league with eight first-place votes while UCCS was in third three first-place nods. A First-Team All-RMAC pick a season ago, Laura Tyree was the Orediggers' lone representation on the All-RMAC Preseason squad.