GOLDEN, Colo. – The #14-ranked and top-seeded Colorado School of Mines Basketball team earned a historic win on Friday night and punched its ticket to the RMAC Tournament Championship game with a 50-47 victory over Colorado Mesa at Lockridge Arena.
 
Liz Holter was Mines' leading scorer thanks to 10 points along with two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Sammy Van Sickle dominated the glass, grabbing 14 rebounds while scoring nine points, dishing out three assists, notching two steals and blocking one shot. Courtney Stanton was big as well, touting nine points and eight rebounds. Holter, Van Sickle and Ashley Steffeck all had multiple steals. Steffeck added a block too.
 
With the win, Mines (17-3) improved to 3-0 against Colorado Mesa (14-8) in the 2020-21 campaign – the Orediggers' best-ever, single-season record against CMU. It also marked the Mines' first-ever postseason win over the Mavericks. The Orediggers overcame 25-percent shooting from the floor by holding a 46-32 advantage on the glass while adding 11 second-chance points. Colorado Mesa shot 35 percent as a team and forced 18 turnovers by Mines. The Orediggers also took advantage of seven three-point baskets. Mines advances on to the tournament final while CMU awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday evening.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Golden provided clear skies, warm weather and a beautiful snapshot of The Front Range as the backdrop for Friday's RMAC Tournament Semifinals. Serene and beautiful are some words that could have described the portrait outdoors, but inside Lockridge Arena it was a knockdown, drag out classic between Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks came to Golden as the #1-ranked defense in the RMAC and the Orediggers welcomed them as the #2-ranked defense in the conference. After one quarter, the tone was set with Mines leading 7-6.
 
Both offenses came alive in the second quarter. The home team poured in 19 points fueled by 60-percent shooting from long range. Holter led the way individually with five of those points. Mesa popped off for 12 points and shot 50 percent from the floor. By halftime, the Orediggers boasted a 26-18 advantage thanks to 22-12 lead in rebounding and five steals through the first two quarters.
 
Van Sickle picked up the baton in the second half and carried in through the third period where she scored six points and grabbed six rebounds. That boosted Mines to a 40-31 lead with 10 minutes left to play. While CMU did outscore the hosts 16-10 in the fourth quarter, it was not enough. Denali Pinto teamed up with Stanton to combine for five free throws in the last 23 seconds. Mesa's Daniella Turner drained a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was too little too late and only pulled CMU within three points.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"Mesa played really tough tonight, and really put on defensive pressure," said Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson. "Our girls played how we play and stuck to the game plan. We are excited to be playing tomorrow.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines has never beat Colorado Mesa three times in a single season or three times in a row over any span – until now.
- The Orediggers last appeared in the RMAC Tournament Championship game in 2009.
- Mines will face Black Hills State in the final. The Orediggers and Yellow Jackets played once this season and BHSU won in overtime in Spearfish, S.D.
- Pinto scored eight points and took over #6 on the Orediggers' all-time scoring list.
- Friday marks Coach Simpson's first career win in the RMAC Tournament Semifinals.
- Coach Simpson is 149-101 in her ninth season as head coach.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts seventh-seeded Black Hills State at 7 p.m. on Saturday night inside Lockridge Arena. The winner of the game will hoist the RMAC Cup and earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Fans are not allowed to attend the game, but live stats and video will be available 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.