ORANGE, Calif. – Colorado School of Mines fell to Simon Fraser University by the final of 72-67 in the final game of the CCA D-II Tip-Off Classic on Sunday, November 6.

While Mines shot 51% for the game and got a double-double of 20 points (career-high) and 10 rebounds from Elizabeth Tomon, Simon Fraser made 11 three-pointers which proved to be the difference. 

Unlike the first two games of the classic, Mines came out shooting the lights out in the first half (57.1%), but just like the first two games –  Elizabeth Tomon was leading the charge. Tomon scored eight points in the opening quarter to nearly outscore SFU (10 points), and then added another seven in the second quarter to put the Orediggers up 36-28 at the half. 

The key run of the half came at the end of the first quarter when Mines rattled off 10 straight points –five from Laura Tyree who had 10 points in the half – to turn a 10-10 deadlock and turned into a decisive lead. The Orediggers actually led by as much as 15 (34-19) in the half.

The Clan caught fire in the third quarter though and slowly chipped away at Mines' lead. Simon Fraser finally took their first lead since early in the first quarter at 51-49 on back-to-back made free throws by Meg Wilson with two minutes left in the period. 

Mines fought back though by getting to the free throw line, and both teams settled for a 54-54 tie at the end of the third quarter. The damage had been done though as the Clan made six-of-nine three-pointers in the quarter and erased all of Mines' first half gains.

Unfortunately, the Orediggers couldn't get back over the hump as they continued to chase SFU the rest of the way. Simon Fraser essentially kept a two-point lead down the stretch until Mines was forced to start fouling which enabled the Clan to pull away for the victory.

Laura Tyree had 19 points on 60% shooting, and Cassidy Budge had six points and six rebounds in the defeat. SFU's Meg Wilson was their leading scorer with 19 points and six rebounds.

Mines returns back to Colorado this week for the 2016 RMAC/Heartland Challenge which this year will be held at Colorado Christian on November 11-12. The Orediggers will play Arkansas-Fort Smith and St. Edward's at this year's edition.