#8 Mines (2-0) vs. Eastern New Mexico (2-0) – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – Lockridge Arena [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
#8 Mines (2-0) at Nebraska-Kearney (1-1) – Saturday, 2 p.m. (CT) – Kearney, Neb. [Live Stats] [Live Video-PPV]

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2021-22 HOME OPENER
The #8-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team will play its home opener this week as the Orediggers host Eastern New Mexico on Thursday at Lockridge Arena. Mines then takes its first true road trip of the season with a trek east to face Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. Thursday's contest features an undefeated opponent in the Greyhounds from the South. Saturday pits the Orediggers against a 1-1 Loper squad that was previously ranked #16 in the pre-season poll.
 
FAN INFORMATION
Mines athletics continues to welcome fans back to home matches this fall. Masks are strongly encouraged for all guests at all on-campus events. Tickets for all matches are available at the box office (cash or credit) or online at www.minesathletics.com/tickets.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The RMAC Network has relaunched for 2021-22, and fans used to watching on their smart TV or other device must download the new app by searching "RMAC" in your device's app store. The new watch portal is available online at www.minesathletics.com/tv or www.rmacnetwork.com. All Mines home games and both games this weekend will stream live and for free on the RMAC Network this fall. Saturday's contest will stream live on The MIAA Network with a purchase required for access.
 
OPENING WEEKEND REWIND
Last weekend marked opening weekend for the 2021-22 season, and the Orediggers rolled to a 2-0 record with wins over St. Mary's and St. Edward's at the conference crossover hosted at Regis. Friday's score was 80-54. Ashley Steffeck fueled the win with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. Saturday saw Mines earn a 65-52 decision over the Hilltoppers. Denali Pinto was the start in that one thanks to 27 points including four three-point baskets.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN NEW MEXICO
Eastern New Mexico out of the Lone Star Conference comes to Colorado fresh of its own conference crossover where ENMU defeated Fort Lewis 76-57 before downing New Mexico Highlands, 56-51. The Greyhounds face Regis on Wednesday prior to their Thursday date in Golden. Natalie Stice is ENMU's early leading scorer thanks to 13.5 points per game. She also leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game. Kamirah Decker and Anasha Hurst average double-digit scoring numbers as well.  Also notable are Bella Stone's 4.0 assists per game. As a team, Eastern New Mexico averages 66.0 points per game while limiting their opponents to a 54-point average.
 
SCOUTING NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
The University of Nebraska at Kearney entered the season ranked #16 in the media poll sponsored by D2SIDA. The Lopers lived up to that ranking in their season opener by putting a 74-58 win on Minnesota-Crookston. However, Southwest Minnesota State made UNK stumble last Saturday by a score of 76-66. They will host NAIA Peru State on Wednesday before welcoming Mines to "The Good Life." Individually, Elisa Backes leads her team in scoring thanks to a 16.5 points-per-game average. That being said, Klaire Kirsch is arguably the lady to watch. She nearly averages a double-double with 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game which is complimented by 4.0 steals per game. Thus far, Haley Simental is dishing out 5.0 assists per contest. As a team, UNK boasts a potent offense that has 140 points in two contests while shooting 41.8 percent from the floor.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Mines is 2-1 in the all-time series against Eastern New Mexico while sitting 10-33 in the rivalry with former RMAC member Nebraska-Kearney. The Orediggers boast two straight wins over ENMU after losing the series opener by a score of 75-49 on Dec. 1, 1991. Mines last met the Greyhounds on Nov. 14, 2014 and defended its home court, 60-58. Saturday renews an ongoing rivalry between two teams that used to play twice a year in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. The series went on pause in 2012 when Nebraska-Kearney departed the RMAC for the MIAA. Mines won that last meeting by a score of 91-77. That snapped the Orediggers' three-game losing streak against the Lopers.
 
CHASING HISTORY
After scoring a total of 36 points last weekend, Denali Pinto now has 1,263 points in her career. That puts the senior guard #5 on Mines' all-time scoring list. She is just 11 points away from sole possession of #4 and 204 points shy of the Orediggers' career scoring record. Ashley Gronewoller is the current record holder. She scored 1,466 points from 2002-06.
 
IN THE POLLS
The Orediggers' 2-0 start to the season pushed them from #11 to #8 in the nation according to The Women's Basketball Division II Media Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA. It marks Mines' highest national ranking ever. The Orediggers remain tied for #23 in the coaches' preseason poll which won't release its first edition until later in the season. Additionally, Mines is no longer the only nationally-ranked team from the RMAC. Colorado Mesa jumped into the media poll tied for #24 after its own 2-0 start to the season.
 
SHE'S THE BEST
Literally, Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson is the best coach in program history. She ranks #1 in both winning percentage, total wins, conference championships and NCAA appearances. Simpson currently owns a career coaching record of 151-101 at the start of her 10th season. She took over the #1 slot in total wins last season thanks to a 68-53 victory over South Dakota Mines inside Lockridge Arena on Dec. 4, 2020. The previous top coach was Simpson's old boss Paula Krueger who went 133-125 from 2003-12. Simpson is also responsible for both RMAC championships in program history, the program's highest national ranking and the Orediggers first #1 seed in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
 
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK
Last weekend's 2-0 start to the season made a bit of early history for the Orediggers. It marked the first time in program history that Mines had ever started back-to-back seasons with two wins and zero losses. The Orediggers started its historic 2020-21 season with a 2-0 mark as well thanks to a 75-49 win at MSU Denver and a 68-53 victory against South Dakota Mines. A win over Eastern New Mexico on Thursday would put Mines 3-0 for just the third time in program history.
 
UP NEXT
After this week's split schedule, Mines heads to Puerto Rico for Thanksgiving where the Orediggers will face Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras and Puerto Rico-Bayamon on Thursday and Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. (MT) on Thursday and 9 a.m. (MT) on Friday. At this time, no live coverage is available.
 
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.