GOLDEN, Colo. - Led by Sammy Van Sickle's 15 points and four steals in her collegiate debut, Colorado School of Mines beat Arkansas-Fort Smith 53-40 to start off the season with a win.

The Orediggers (1-0) used a surge early in the second half to take control of the game, holding the Lions (0-1) to only 40 points with 23 turnovers. The game was played as part of the season-opening Tony Corbetta Classic.

Van Sickle was simply superb in her debut, hitting 6-of-11 shots including three three-pointers to go with four steals and three boards. Anna Kollmorgen also stood out with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Nicole Archambeau just missed a double-double at 10 points and nine rebounds.

UAFS led much of the first half, going up by as much as five late in the second quarter, but Mines started to turn the momentum their way with back-to-back Archambeau jumpers and Madelene McDonald's layup just before the buzzer to take a 28-27 lead into the break.

A big third quarter took control of the game for Mines as they outscored the Lions 12-4. Mines began the half on a 10-0 run, with UAFS not scoring until more than six minutes into the period. Mines never led by less than six from there, pulling away early in the fourth on a Megan Van de Graaf layup and two McDonald free throws to take a double-digit lead at 46-35.

NOTABLES
- The game was played in Volk Gymnasium, the first time in more than five years that the Orediggers went back to their former home. Lockridge Arena was booked for the RMAC Volleyball Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
- Van Sickle wasn't the only Oredigger to impress in her debut. McDonald, a graduate transfer from Loyola (Md.), had eight points and five rebounds, while Van de Graaf added six points and five boards off the bench. Lena Long-Shore also made her Mines debut with a rebound in four minutes off the bench.
- Mines shot 36.5 percent overall for the game. 
- The Orediggers took 17 more shots than UAFS thanks to a 39-31 rebound advantage, which included a 17-7 offensive board edge. 
- Daijah Brown led UAFS with 12 points.
- In the other game of the Tony Corbetta Classic, St. Edward's outlasted Colorado Christian in an entertaining 85-83 overtime decision. Isabel Hernandez scored 25 with 15 rebounds to lead SEU; Jordan Baer impressed with 24 points and 10 boards for CCU.

NEXT UP
Mines will take on St. Edward's Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Volk Gym.