GOLDEN, Colo. – Ashley Steffeck had a career night on Saturday as the #14-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team notched an 80-69 win against Adams State inside Lockridge Arena.
 
Steffeck led all players with a career-high 29 points. She was 10-of-14 from the floor including a 7-of-8 mark from three-point range while converting both free-throw opportunities. Steffeck also dished out five assists and racked up four steals with one block. Jenna Siebert was the only other Oredigger to score in double figures. She had her own career high thanks to 13 points. In limited minutes due to foul trouble, Sammy Van Sickle still walked away with three blocks, four rebounds and two assists. Megan Van de Graaf and Loralee Stock tied for the team lead with six rebounds apiece. Ashley Van Sickle, Josephine Howery, and Shelby Nichols recorded multiple steals each.
 
The Orediggers (17-3, 13-2 RMAC) extended their win streak to four games. They also held tight to a half-game lead in the conference standings. Adams State (13-7, 9-5 RMAC) dropped its second straight game after a modest, four-game win streak was snapped Friday night at MSU Denver. The difference in the game were Mines' 10 three-pointers compared to four for the Grizzlies. The Orediggers also earned a 38-31 rebounding victory. Adams State finished with a better shooting percentage, better free-throw percentage, and more points in the paint. However, the home team forced two more turnovers on two more steals and parlayed a total of 17 ASU turnovers in 26 points. The Grizzlies only managed 11 points off 15 turnovers by Mines.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Adams State started the weekend as the top-ranked offense in all the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Mines started the weekend ranked #2 in the same category. While there were three lead changes in the game and an 8-0 scoring run by the visitors, the Orediggers held the advantage 38:34 out of 40 possible minutes and led by as many as 17 points. The Grizzlies even scored first, but Mines finished the opening period with a 22-12 lead. Jessica Rios fueled that margin with five points and Steffeck notched five of her own. Howery and Van de Graaf combined for eight points total. After that, it was all Orediggers.
 
Mines ended the second quarter on a 9-0 run and rolled into halftime touting a 42-30 lead. Four of Nichols' six second-period points came as part of the surge. By the end of the third quarter, the home team had pushed its lead to 62-47. Steffeck fueled the push with 10 points in the third frame alone, and 11 Oredigger points in just 71 seconds didn't hurt their chances. In the final quarter, Steffeck secured the home team win to close out Alumni Weekend by pouring in 11 more points on 3-of-3 shooting; all from behind the three-point arc. She also notched her first, and only free-throw attempts of the game.
 
NOTABLES
- The Orediggers are now 29-34 in the all-time series against Adams State including 14 straight wins.
- Mines' 14-game win streak over the Grizzlies it its longest in the rivalry. The Orediggers haven't lost to ASU since Jan. 13, 2012.
- Steffeck's previous single-game high in scoring was 22 points on two occasions. She last scored 22 against Westminster earlier this season. Her seven three-pointers also marked a career best.
- Steffeck also soared over 900 points for her career. She now touts 914 points in less than four seasons.
- Siebert's scoring production put the redshirt freshman over 100 points in her collegiate career.
- Stock turned in a single-game career high thanks to her six rebounds.
- Did anyone else know that the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay has a campus in Sheboygan, Wisc, and the athletics mascot is a wombat? Neither did the author.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 191-110 in her 11th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hits the road next weekend with a trip to South Dakota. The Orediggers take on Black Hills State on Friday and South Dakota Mines on Saturday. Live stats and free video on the RMAC Network will be offered 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.­­­