GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team dropped a 55-53 decision to Colorado Mesa on Saturday night despite a career game from junior center Courtney Stanton inside Lockridge Arena.
 
Stanton exploded for a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double while adding one assist and one steal. Sammy Van Sickle added 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block as well. Stanton's rebounds and scoring both mark career highs in the second double-double of her career. Additionally, Liz Holter led all players with three assists.
 
Mines (3-4, 0-2 RMAC) out-shot Colorado Mesa (6-2, 2-0 RMAC) from the field and at the free-throw line, including 33 percent from three-point range. The Orediggers also edged the Mavericks in rebounds by a margin of 35-30. However, the visitors racked up 14 steals and forced 15 turnovers to make up the difference. Mines benefited from 26 points in the paint compared to just 16 for CMU. The Mavericks countered that production with 33 points off the bench.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orediggers took an early 2-0 lead in the opening seconds on a Holter layup. Two minutes later, Colorado Mesa drained a free throw and hit a long-range shot to take the lead. That advantage grew to 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. Stanton responded midway through the second period with four points as part of a 6-2, Oredigger run. However, by halftime, CMU had built its lead by three more with a 17-14 edge in the second frame.
 
Coming out of the break, Mines took over the game. Four points apiece from Van Sickle and Stanton fueled a 16-point outburst in the third quarter. On defense, the Orediggers limited the Mavericks to 11 points and closed the gap to 44-40 with one period remaining. Through the final 10 minutes, Mines outscored the visitors once again thanks to five more points from Stanton along with four rebounds for the junior. All five of Stanton's fourth-quarter points came in an 11-2 run that helped the Orediggers tie the game at 53-53. Mesa used a layup with 20 seconds remaining to take a two-point lead. With time expiring, Denali Pinto drove in for a layup, but was robbed by the back iron.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"We were night-and-day from yesterday, which was good to see," said Oredigger Head Coach Brittany Simpson. "There is a lot to learn from tonight and we just have to continue to get better."
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 14-55 in the all-time series against Colorado Mesa.
- Stanton's last double-double was a 16-point, 10-rebound effort against New Mexico Highlands last season.
- Stanton used the first three-point basket of her career as part of Saturday's performance.
- Saturday marked the third game this season that Mines has limited an opponent to 55 points.
- Holter and Stanton combined to shoot 100 percent from long range. Stanton and Loralee Stock were a combined 10-10 at the free-throw line.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 116-92 in eight years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines heads to Colorado Christian and Regis next Friday and Saturday. Tipoff at CCU is slated for 5 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Regis. Live stats and video of both 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. Fans can also follow Mines Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesWBB.