GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The #9-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team dropped an 81-74 decision to #25 Colorado Mesa on Saturday night after the Mavericks missed just four shots in the fourth quarter at Brownson Arena.
 
Sammy Van Sickle did her best with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Ashley Steffeck poured in 18 points while dishing out two assists with two steals and one rebound. Liz Holter's 11 points and five assists proved notable as well. Courtney Stanton rounded out Mines' highlights by scoring seven points, grabbing six rebounds, blocking two shots and dishing out three assists.
 
The loss snapped a five-game win streak for Mines (22-4, 17-3 RMAC). Colorado Mesa (21-4, 16-4 RMAC) extended its run to nine consecutive wins. Every statistical category was almost even including both teams committing 14 turnovers apiece. Key discrepancies were CMU's 30-27 advantage on the glass along with a 20-16 edge in assists. Most importantly, the Mavericks shot over 55 percent from the floor including 8-of-16 from three-point range to offset the Orediggers' 11 long-range baskets. Mines finished the game just 13-of-20 at the free-throw line.
 
Mines (22-3, 17-2 RMAC) not only broke its program wins record, the Orediggers also extended their win streak to five games. They did it by converting 23 points off of 23 Westminster (14-8, 13-5 RMAC) turnovers. Thirteen of those 23 turnovers were caused by steals from Mines. Both teams shot under 40 percent which benefited the Orediggers as WC entered the game ranked #4 in the nation in overall shooting percentage. Ball security secured the win for Mines as the visitors committed just nine turnovers. Westminster did finish the game with an edge from long range and at the free-throw line.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines strode into always hostile Brownson Arena on Saturday night and showed no fear with a strong start that led to a 9-6 lead on Loralee Stock's jump shot with 5:30 to play in the first quarter. However, the Orediggers' strong start was overshadowed by CMU's 11-0 run to end the opening frame. After 10 minutes, the nationally-ranked Mavericks owned a 22-12 lead. Mines responded to its double-digit deficit by holding Colorado Mesa scoreless for more than three minutes in the second quarter as Van Sickle poured in 13 of her 15 first-half points. By halftime, the Orediggers had posted a 22-12 advantage through the second 10 minutes and the score was tied, 34-34.
 
The second half narrowly went in favor of the home team with CMU dropping 19 in the third quarter and 28 in the fourth. The specific turning point was the final period which the Mavericks opened on a 5-0 run that Mines could not overcome. Steffeck's layup with 4:09 to play did pull the Orediggers within three points at 63-60. However, after that point, Colorado Mesa did not miss a single shot from the field until an errant layup with 49 seconds remaining. The Mavericks closed out the win by going 12-of-14 at the free-throw line over the last 10 minutes.
 
NOTABLES
- Saturday's loss snapped Mines' four-game win streak against Colorado Mesa.
- Steffeck's lone steal made her the Orediggers' all-time, single-season steals leader with 101 for the 2021-22 campaign. She surpassed Gabi Sandoval who 100 in 1995-96.
- Saturday marked Mines' first loss this season when shooting over 44 percent from the floor. The Orediggers are 20-1 when shooting over 32 percent from the field.
- Coach Simpson is 171-105 in her 10th season as head coach.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes the regular season next weekend with Adams State on Friday and CSU Pueblo on Saturday at Lockridge Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at www.minesathletics.com/tickets or at the gate. Live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be linked 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.