GOLDEN, Colo. – The #17-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team dropped a 67-62 decision to Westminster on Friday night at Lockridge Arena
 
Despite the loss, Courtney Stanton led all players in scoring with 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Stanton added four rebounds and one steal as well. Raven Herrera was the other Oredigger who scored in double digits, notching 11 points including one three-pointer and 4-for-4 production at the free-throw line. Herrera, along with Liz Holter and Ashley Steffeck, grabbed two steals. Holter also led all players with five assists. Sammy Van Sickle's final line included nine rebounds, seven points and four assists.
 
Mines (13-3, 12-3 RMAC) was hampered by 34-percent shooting from the field including 25 percent from three-point range. On the other side, Westminster (10-3, 10-3 RMAC) shot nearly 45 percent from the field and from behind the arc. The Orediggers held a 39-34 advantage on the class and converted 10 of 11 free-throw attempts. Mines even outpaced the Griffins with 30 points in the paint, 18 points off turnovers, 12 second-chance points and 22 points off the bench. However, Westminster's efficiency as the #1-ranked shooting team in the country proved too much. The loss snaps the Orediggers' eight-game winning streak and moves Mines to #2 in the RMAC standings based on winning percentage. But the NCAA RPI formula will determined the league's regular season champion.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Snow-covered slopes and clear, blue skies provided the backdrop for Friday's showdown in beautiful Golden, Colo. Mines fed off the pleasant weather and came out of the gate firing, shooting nearly 53 percent in the opening quarter. After 10 minutes of action, the Orediggers owned a 19-13 lead, but it did not last long. Wesminster entered the second quarter on a mission and seemingly succeeded. The visitors held Mines scoreless for the final 3:45 of the frame and closed the half on an 11-0 run. However, the halftime buzzer found the home team only trailing by eight points, 37-29.
 
Unfortunately for the Orediggers, the Griffins did not cool off after the break. Westminster still shot 40 percent in the third frame and extended Mines' scoreless streak to more than five minutes. After three quarters, WC's 55-39 advantage appeared insurmountable. The freshly-ranked home team had other thoughts as the Orediggers emerged from their bench and opened the fourth period shooting 75 percent from the field as part of a 13-0 run.
 
Stanton started the surge with a driving layup and converted the free throw after she was fouled. Herrera continued the run with a three-point basket from the left wing that made the score 55-45 with 7:33 left to play. Then, Van Sickle and Holter hit jumpers to make it 55-49. Steffeck's three-pointer at the 5:45 mark pulled Mines within three points at 55-52. That led to a back-and-forth affair from the field before free throws came into play.
 
Denali Pinto and Van Sickle combined for four straight shots from the charity stripe that pulled Mines within two points.  Steffeck hit another long-range shot to make it 63-62 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. However, that was the closest Mines would get as the home team missed its one chance to tie the game and Westminster converted its free throws down the stretch.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"Westminster played a really good game and had a good game plan," said Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson following the loss.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 5-5 in the all-time series against Westminster.
- The Orediggers' average margin of defeat in 2020-21 is 4.33 points.
- Stanton accounted for eight of Mines' 10 points in the second quarter on Friday, Herrera scored six of the Orediggers' 10 points in the third quarter.
- Additionally Herrera's production put her over 500 points for her career.
- All seven Orediggers to appear in the fourth quarter against Westminster scored at least two points.
- There was only one tie and just four lead changes in the contest between Mines and WC.
- Coach Simpson is 145-101 in her ninth season as head coach.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Colorado Mesa on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena. No spectators are allowed, but live stats and video will be offered for free at www.minesathletics.com.
 
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.