CHADRON, Neb. – Courtney Stanton scored a career-high 19 points Saturday night, but it was spoiled by Chadron State as the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team fell to the eagles in heartbreaking fashion, 76-73, inside the Chicoine Center.
 
Stanton shot 70 percent from the field (7-for-10) while going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed eight rebounds and recorded one block. Anna Kollmorgen also scored 19 points for the Orediggers, going 8-for-11 from the field including 2-for-4 from three-point range. Kollmorgen dished out four assists and grabbed four rebounds as well. Denali Pinto joined the double-digit scoring party with 17 points, going 50% from the floor. Raven Herrera was also solid for Mines, leading all players with 11 rebounds while grabbing three steals.
 
The Orediggers (10-8, 7-6 RMAC) converted 81.3 percent of their free-throw opportunities and out-rebounded Chadron State (4-15, 3-10 RMAC) by a margin of 36-31. However, the Eagles shot 94 percent from the charity stripe while holding Mines to just 16-percent shooting from long range. The loss drops the Orediggers into a four-way tie for sixth place in the RMAC standings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Scoring was not an issue in the opening quarter for either team. Kollmorgen knocked down the first points and it was off to the races as Mines and Chadron State combined for 44 points on 17 made shots in the opening period. The Eagles carried a slight, 23-21, advantage into the first break thanks to 60-percent shooting from behind the three-point arc.
 
Mines opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run and held the home team scoreless for the first 3:26 of the period. The run was fueled by four points from Pinto and another two from Kollmorgen. Then, both teams dropped into a scoring drought, going nearly two minutes with no made baskets or free throws. Kollmorgen would end that drought followed by a Stanton jumper to spark a 10-2 Mines run into halftime.
 
With a 39-31 advantage to start the third quarter, it appeared the Orediggers were in the driver's seat. In fact, Mines extended its lead all the way to 48-38, marking the largest lead of the night. However, slowly but surely, Chadron State found its way back into the game. A 45-point third period went in favor of the Eagles (25-20) and efficient shooting in the final 10 minutes put the home team in line for the win. Chadron State regained the lead 73-72 with 1:50 to play and never looked back.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 27-34 in the all-time series against Chadron State.
- Saturday's loss snapped the Orediggers' five-game winning streak against the Eagles.
- Mines has out-rebounded all but two of its opponents this season – including Chadron State.
- Stanton now has games of 10, 14 and 19 points this season.
- Kollmorgen is 8-for-11 from long range over her last four games.
- Kollmorgen surpassed 600 rebounds for her career in Saturday's game at Chadron State.
- Archambeau's five boards against the Eagles put her over 400 for her career.
- Cassidy Budge appeared in the 100th game of her career as an Oredigger Saturday night.
- Pinto blew past the 200-point threshold for the season with 27 on the weekend.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 105-85 in seven years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines heads to CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands Feb. 1-2. Live stats and video of the games will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.