#11 Mines (2-0) vs. Nebraska-Kearney (4-1) – Saturday, 6 p.m. – Lockridge Arena [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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RETURN TO LOCKRIDGE ARENA
For the first time in the 2022-23 season, the #11-ranked Colorado School of Mines Basketball team will play on its home court inside Lockridge Arena. The Orediggers' home opener comes early in the season, just three games in. They'll face the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, following Mines football's first-round NCAA playoff game.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Saturday's game and all of Mines' RMAC contests will stream live and for free on the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Network. The RMAC Network can be accessed at www.minesathletics.com/tv, as well as with apps on all major smart TV platforms by searching RMAC. Live statistics are also available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
SEASON OPENER SUMMARY
The Orediggers opened their 2022-23 campaign at the Conference Crossover in San Antonio, Texas. Mines faced St. Edward's on Friday and handled the Hilltoppers by a score of 74-45. Josephine Howery led all players with 16 points. Jessica Rios stuffed the box score with six points, six steals, seven rebounds, three assists and one block. On Saturday, the Orediggers played the hosting Rattlers of St. Mary's. Mines also won that game handily, 86-45. Ashley Steffeck led the way with 15 points and five steals. A total of six Orediggers scored in double digits.
 
SCOUTING NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
The University of Nebraska at Kearney started its season 1-1 including a loss to then-#7 West Texas A&M. Since then, the Lopers have run off three consecutive wins over Minnesota-Crookston, Southwest Minnesota State and Chadron State. They played CSC on Thursday night in Chadron. Through the early going, UNK ranks #4 in three-pointers attempted per game and #26 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Individually, Sarah Schmitt is #11 in DII in assists, and Elisa Backes ranks #1 in DII in three-pointers attempted, #2 in field-goal attempts, #3 in made three-pointers, #12 in total blocks, and #16 in steals. Also notable is Shiloh McCool who is #9 in the nation in total rebounds. Backes and McCool both average double-digit scoring numbers at 13.0 and 10.4 points per game, respectively. Klaire Kirsch also averages 10.0 points per game. Thus far, the Lopers average 67 points per game while limiting their opponents to 55.6 points per game.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Colorado School of Mines and Nebraska-Kearney will meet for the 45th time in program history on Saturday after UNK previously played in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Mines trails the series by a 10-34 margin. The Orediggers and Lopers renewed their rivalary last season in Kearney. The home team claimed a 76-57 win as Mines only recorded two steals. Denali Pinto had 15 points and Ashley Steffeck scored 10. The last time the Orediggers defeated Nebraska-Kearney was Jan. 28, 2012 by a score of 91-77 in Golden. Also notable for Mines in the series was a run of three straight wins from 2009-10.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Oredigger newcomer Jessica Rios was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday following her opening weekend for Mines. Rios earned the first award of her career after the Orediggers' 2-0 weekend. Against, SEU, she racked up six steals and one block on defense, while putting up six points, seven rebounds and three assists on offense. On Saturday, Rios followed up with four steals, 12 points, three assists and two rebounds. The Sacramento State transfer finished opening weekend ranked #1 in the RMAC in total steals and steals per game. She was also #6 in all of DII in the same cateogories.
 
BOSS LADY
Head Coach Brittany Simpson is in her 11th season leading the Mines women's basketball program. During her decade tenure, she has become the winningest coach in program history both in terms of total wins and win percentage at 175-107 (62.0). Simpson is responsible for all three of the program's RMAC titles including regular-season championships in 2015-16, 2020-21, and 2021-22, as well as three of four trips to the NCAA Tournament. She is a three-time RMAC Coach of the Year who has guided 31 All-RMAC selections including 11 first-teamers, 11 second-teamers, one third-team selection and eight honorable mention performers.
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball remains #20 in the nation in the coaches' poll which has not been updated since the preseason release. However, the Orediggers rose from #15 to #11 in the media poll sponsored by D2SIDA. Also notable is Nebraska-Kearney receiving votes in both polls. Mines is the only team from the RMAC to appear in the national rankings.
 
UP NEXT
Mines will head to Regis on Nov. 25 and 26 to face Central Washington and Seattle Pacific as part of the Thanksgiving Classic. Live stats and free video on the RMAC Network will be available 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.