Mines (1-2) vs. Texas A&M-International (0-5) – Friday, 3 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
Mines (1-2) vs. Texas-Permian Basin (1-3) – Saturday, 3 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".
 
THANKSGIVING SHOWDOWN
For a fourth straight year, the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team will celebrate Thanksgiving by hosting a pair of games inside Lockridge Arena. The 2018 edition features a pair of regional foes in Texas A&M-International (Heartland) and Texas-Permian Basin (Lone Star). The Orediggers are coming off a tough loss to #7 West Texas A&M and look to get back on the winning track against a pair of teams that have one total win.
 
LOOKING BACK
Last Friday, Mines welcomed #7 West Texas A&M to Lockridge Arena for a non-conference showdown and neither team disappointed. The hot-shooting Lady Buffs defeated the Orediggers 84-73 in a game that featured a combined 20 three-point baskets. WTAMU had to shoot over 50 percent from all areas in order to pull away late in a game where Mines gave its opponent all it could handle. Anna Kollmorgen led all players with 21 points while adding five assists and two rebounds. Denali Pinto, Nicole Archambeau and Madelene McDonald also scored in double digits for Mines.
 
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M-INTERNATIONAL
Texas A&M-International arrives in Golden still seeking its first win of the 2018-19 season. At 0-5, TAMIU has suffered three losses by seven points or less. The Dustdevils have faced four RMAC squads including Chadron State, Black Hills State, Westminster and Colorado Christian. Christine Ortega and Tantashea Giger lead the team with 14.5 points and 13.0 points per game, respectively. Ortega also shines on the glass with 7.0 rebounds per game. To date, Ashley Perez has dished out 24 assists. Fans should note that TAMIU ranks #7 in NCAA Division II in three-point field goals attempted this season. The Dustdevils have put up 135 shots from long range and won't hesitate to increase that number inside Lockridge Arena.
 
WHAT'S A DUSTDEVIL
Texas A&M-International University uses Dustdevils (one word) as the nickname for its athletic teams. In reality, Dustdevil as one word is not actually a word at all. However, as two words, dust devil is defined as a small whirlwind or air vortex over land, visible as a column of dust and debris. The institution is located in Laredo, Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border. With a climate defined as semiarid featuring high temperatures of 67 degrees in January and 100.1 in August, it would seem there is plenty of dust and debris to make dustdevils an appropriate nickname for the southern school. Also, for those who may care, the elevation of Laredo, Texas, is 438 feet – slightly lower than Golden's 5,675 feet of elevation.
 
SCOUTING TEXAS-PERMIAN BASIN
UT-Permian Basin is 1-3 so far in 2018 with its lone victory coming against a familiar foe in UCCS. The Falcons defeated the Mountain Lions 61-60 in Canyon, Texas, home of West Texas A&M. UTPB's three losses have come at the hands of Regis, St. Mary's and Lubbock Christian. The Falcons face Regis Friday night before coming over to Golden Saturday. UTPB is led by Khali Pippins-Tryon's 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Sarah Bersang leads the squad with 11 assists on the season, so it's safe to say the Falcons like to create their own shot.
 
BIRDS OF PREY
Officially known as the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, UTPB boasts the falcon as its nickname and mascot. Many probably know that a falcon is considered a bird of prey, which means it eats other birds or animals. However, folks may not know that there are 421 species of birds of prey and 133 of them are actually owls. Falcons make up 35 of those 421 species. The word falcon is actually Latin, meaning scimitar shaped. This refers to the win shape of the falcon. These wings help falcons go fast, really fast. Peregrine falcons have been clocked at speeds up to 242 miles per hour while diving for prey. This makes them the fastest recorded animal – ever. And now you know.
 
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 and Saturday mark the dawning of a new rivalry for Mines as the Orediggers have never faced Texas A&M-International or Texas-Permian Basin. However, Mines has faced a total of nine teams from Texas in its history including Incarnate Word out of San Antonio, Lubbock Christian, McMurry, Midwestern State, St. Edward's, St. Mary's, Texas Wesleyan, Texas Woman's and the aforementioned West Texas A&M. The Orediggers are 6-10 in their all-time series against the Lone Star state, boasting winning records against Incarnate Word (1-0), McMurry (3-0) and St. Edward's (2-1). This weekend provides an optimal chance for Mines to move closer to a .500 record in its rivalry with Texas.
 
RMAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Anna Kollmorgen was named RMAC Offensive Player of the Week Monday after her outstanding performance against #7 West Texas A&M. It marks the first RMAC weekly award of her career. Kollmorgen's 21 points matched her career high originally set in 2016 against Colorado Christian. The senior's five assists are a season high. Kollmorgen went 9-for-17 from the floor including 3-for-6 from long range. She is #13 in the RMAC in scoring and #5 in assists per game.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Following its Thanksgiving showdown, Mines hits the road to open RMAC play Dec. 1 at UCCS at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at MinesAthletics.com.