GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team extended its streak to six straight wins on Saturday night with a 69-40 victory over Colorado Christian at Lockridge Arena.
 
Denali Pinto only played 24 minutes, but still led all players with 15 points. Pinto was the only player who scored in double digits, but Raven Herrera and Courtney Stanton weren't far off with nine points apiece. On the glass, Sammy Van Sickle trumped all thanks to 12 rebounds. She also added three steals. Ashley Steffeck provided another all-around performance by scoring seven points while grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out five assists, blocking two shots and notching two steals.  
 
As a team, Mines (11-2, 10-2 RMAC) shot 44 percent from the floor including 41 percent from long range while dropping 46 points in the paint. Colorado Christian (2-10, 2-10 RMAC) hoisted up 21 three-point attempts and shot just 24 percent overall and 19 percent behind the arc. The Oredigger defense also limited the Cougars to 14 points in the paint. Overall, Mines emerged with the advantage in every statistical category including 28 points of the bench and a rebounding margin of 44-34. The Orediggers' produced 12 steals and forced 19 CCU turnovers as well.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sunny skies in Golden on Saturday proved deceptive as 40-degree temperatures and breezy conditions brought a bite to the air. Mines' women proved far less deceptive. The nation's 10th-ranked scoring defense stepped on the floor and limited Colorado Christian to four points and one field goal in the first quarter alone. Those thrifty ways carried into the second quarter where the Orediggers limited the visitors to eight points on two field goals and four three throws. By halftime, Mines held a 31-12 advantage and Pinto boasted nine points in 12 minutes of action.
 
Colorado Christian heated up after the break and produced its top period of the night with 16 in the third frame. However, the home team offset that production by going 3-for-4 from long range. With 10 minutes remaining the game, the Orediggers touted a 49-28 advantage. It was too great a deficit for the Cougars to overcome. Herrera and Stanton insured the win in the final quarter by scoring seven point and six points, respectively. At the final buzzer, CCU had not scored for more than two minutes and Mines had captured another wire-to-wire victory.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"Tonight was a great team win," said Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson. "It was really nice to play tonight, and I am proud of the effort from our girls."
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 36-23 in the all-time series against Colorado Christian with five straight wins versus the Cougars.
- The Orediggers haven't lost to CCU since Feb. 11, 2017 – nearly four years ago.
- Mines' six-game win streak remains the longest active run in the RMAC.
- The Orediggers remain #2 in the RMAC standings after Western Colorado's win over UCCS on Thursday.
- Ten individuals notched a field goal for Mines in Saturday's win.
- Josephine Howery's six points mark a career high for the true freshman.
- Fellow true freshman Quincey Baum scored the first points of her collegiate career, going 1-for-3 from the field.
- Saturday marked the fifth time Steffeck has blocked multiple shots in one game.
- Herrera's seven rebounds put her over 300 boards for her career.
- Liz Holter surpassed 200 assists for her career including 61 from her time at NCAA Division I Incarnate Word.
- Additionally, Stanton moved past 700 career points and Megan Van de Graaf hit 200 career rebounds.
- Mines is 9-0 when holding opposing teams to less than 55 points so far this season.
- The Orediggers boast eight double-digit wins and have held six opponents to 50 points or less.
- Saturday marked Mines' stingiest performance of the 2020-21 season.
- Coach Simpson is 143-100 in her ninth season as head coach.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hits the road next weekend for games at Fort Lewis at #8-ranked Western Colorado on Friday and Saturday. No spectators are expected, 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.