DENVER, Colo. – Oredigger guard Denali Pinto scored 27 points on Saturday night and the #11-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team started its season 2-0 thanks to a 65-52 win against St. Edward's at the conference crossover inside Regis Field House.
 
Pinto's output included four three-point baskets and led all players. Liz Holter supported the cause in a big way by scoring 13 points while adding seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Courtney Stanton's nine points proved notable in the timing of the buckets. Rounding out the highlights was Sammy Van Sickle who notched six assists, grabbed five rebounds and racked up four steals.
 
As a team, Mines (2-0) shot just 31 percent from the field and from long range. However, the Orediggers earned the win by out-rebounding St. Edward's (1-1) 45-36. Defense was also key with Mines boasting a 19-24 margin in the turnover battle. For a second straight game, all 10 active Orediggers appeared in the box score. Haley Blankinship led SEU with 16 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first two quarters of the game were a dogfight. St. Edward's scored the first bucket and boasted a 15-14 advantage after 10 minutes. Mines responded with a 7-0 run in the middle of the second quarter and carried a narrow, 29-26 advantage into halftime. After the break, it was all Orediggers. Pinto sparked a 23-13 third period while three out of 10 active players avoided foul trouble with four personal fouls each. The final quarter resulted in a 13-13 tie as Mines played out the final three minutes with a double-digit advantage.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 3-2 in the all-time series with St. Edward's thanks to Saturday's win.
- Van Sickle's six assists matched her career high which she initially accomplished against Chadron State in January of 2020.
- The Orediggers have never started back-to-back seasons with a 2-0 record – until now.
- Mines has kept both of its opponents in 2021-22 under 55 points.
- Coach Simpson is 151-101 in her 10th season as head coach.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines opens its home schedule on Thursday against Eastern New Mexico at 5:30 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at www.minesathletics.com/tickets. Live stats and video will be offered at www.minesathletics.com as well.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.