Mines (1-1) vs. #7 West Texas A&M (2-0) – Friday, 6 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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ON THE RMAC NETWORK
Every Mines home game can be seen live and for free on the RMAC Network at minesathletics.com/tv. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC".
 
WEEKEND ONE-OFF
It's a light weekend on the schedule for the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team with just one contest on the docket, but a heavy weekend on the court considering the opponent. The Orediggers welcome nationally-ranked West Texas A&M to Lockridge Arena Friday as the Lady Buffs come to Golden 2-0 and ranked #7 in the nation. Mines went 1-1 on opening weekend while WTAMU defeated a pair of RMAC opponents (UCCS, Regis) by an average of 30 points. The Orediggers have their work cut out for them, but the friendly confines of Lockridge Arena could prove beneficial for Mines.
 
OPENING WEEKEND IN REVIEW
Mines earned its first win in a season opener for the first time since the 2015-16 season as it defeated Arkansas-Fort Smith 53-40 inside Volk Gymnasium. True freshman Sammy Van Sickle showed out in the win by leading all scorers with 15 points and a game-high four steals. However, the Orediggers ended up with its third straight opening-weekend split as they fell to St. Edward's 69-62. Despite the loss, Nicole Archambeau was dominant with a 21-point, 12-rebound performance. Raven Herrera and Ann Kollmorgen both scored in double digits as well.
 
SCOUTING WEST TEXAS A&M
West Texas A&M enters the 2018-19 season fresh off an appearance in the NCAA Regional finals (Sweet 16) where it lost to top-seeded Lubbock Christian. The Lady Buffs are picking up where they left off after going 29-5 a year ago. At 2-0 this season, WTAMU is led by 6-5 senior Tyesha Taylor. The transfer from New Mexico State is averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. She leads the Lady Buffs in all three of those categories while Megan Gamble is dishing out 7.0 assists per game. Taylor's size and Gamble's vision will be two focal points for Mines as they prepare this week in practice.
 
KNOW THINE ENEMY
While only two games have been played this season, West Texas A&M has put up some pretty lofty numbers. In the NCAA National Statistical Rankings, the Lady Buffs rank #1 in NCAA Division II in won-lost percentage, #5 in assist to turnover ratio and #8 in both field-goal percentage and three-point field goals per game. West Texas A&M is also averaging 82.0 points per game which ranks #28 in the country. However, the Lady Buffs don't even lead their conference in scoring as Angelo State is putting up 99.0 points per contest. Individually, Megan Gamble ranks #5 in DII in assist to turnover ratio and #7 in assists per game.
 
WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM…?
West Texas A&M University's nickname for its athletics programs is Buffaloes, Lady Buffaloes or just Buffs. Presumably referring to the American Bison, a buffalo is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in vast herds. They became nearly extinct in the 19^th century but have made a recent resurgence. While typically associated with the Northern Plains, there is a heard located near the southern banks of the Rio Grande and around the grassland state line with Texas and New Mexico, making WTAMU's nickname acceptably appropriate. Some fun facts about buffalo (more accurately bison) include their poor eyesight but acute hearing and excellent sense of smell. The life expectancy of bison is about 15 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity. While bison can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds, they are quick on their feet with a top speed of 40 miles per hour, if necessary. What many may not know is that on May 9, 2016 then President Barack Obama officially made the American bison the national mammal of the United States. And now you know.
 
RETURN TO LOCKRIDGE ARENA
Last weekend, Mines opened its season in its former, long-time home Volk Gymnasium. However, this Friday the Orediggers return to its most recent home, Lockridge Arena. Fondly referred to as "The Lock", Mines' home court for volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball features seating for 3,000 at Oredigger home athletics events. The venue has also twice hosted the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball South Central Regional Tournament. Additionally, Lockridge Arena hosts numerous major campus events and has been graced by the presence of Barack Obama, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye and many others.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Friday marks the second-ever meeting between Mines and the Lady Buffs. The series premiere took place Nov. 13, 2015 in the Orediggers' season opener that year. West Texas A&M won the game 65-42, but Mines went on to go 21-7 overall as the Orediggers won their first RMAC title in program history and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Three total players between the two programs appeared in that inaugural meeting. Reagan Haynes played six minutes and registered one basket for the Lady Buffs. For Mines, Anna Kollmorgen and Cassidy Budge combined for eight points with Kollmorgen grabbing five rebounds, two assists and one steal. That first meeting also marked WTAMU's first year with head coach Kristen Mattio at the helm. Over the last three seasons, Mattio has gone 85-19 with three trips to NCAA Tournament including one Elite Eight appearance.
 
ARCHAMBEAU ALL DAY
Since arriving at Mines by way of Colorado Mesa, Nicole Archambeau has been an Oredigger force to be reckoned with. She led Mines in scoring and rebounding last season and has picked up where she left off in 2018-19. Through two games, Archambeau is averaging a double-double at a rate of 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The senior's average is appropriate since she leads the team with 12 double-doubles in her career. Archambeau's most recent double-double came opening weekend against St. Edward's with 21 points and 12 rebounds. While she may not crack the 1,000-point mark for Mines, Archambeau's 12.5 points per game over the last two seasons is the highest scoring average of any Oredigger in the last decade.
 
DROPPIN' DIMES
Mines' senior point guard Anna Kollmorgen has been the posterchild for efficiency in her four years with the Orediggers. In 89 games, Kollmorgen has dished out 250 assists with 96 steals while adding in 7.6 points per game. The Iowa native has earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC twice and currently sits #5 on Mines' all-time assists list. Last season, Kollmorgen's 97 assists cracked Mines' single-season chart at #6. Only four other Orediggers in program history have dropped more dimes than Kollmorgen.
 
CHASING 1,000
Last season, the Orediggers added another name to its 1,000-point scoring list as Emily Bailey cracked the threshold in her final season. This year, senior guard Cassidy Budge also has the landmark in site. Budge currently sits at 762 points for her career after scoring 240 her freshman year, 321 as a sophomore and 201 as a junior. Budge will need to reach her sophomore numbers to have a shot, but her three-point shooting arsenal will give the Colorado Springs product a boost. In fact, Budge holds two of the Orediggers' top-10 marks for three-point field goals made in a single season and ranks #3 all-time in Mines history with 148 three-pointers in her career.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Orediggers get a rare Saturday off before welcoming Texas A&M-International and Texas-Permian Basin to Lockridge Arena Nov. 23-24 for Mines' Thanksgiving Tournament. Live stats and video will be available at MinesAthletics.com.