GOLDEN, Colo. – Oredigger guard Ashley Steffeck scored 24 points on Friday afternoon as the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team opened its 2023-24 season with an 81-68 win against St. Mary's inside Lockridge Arena.
 
Steffeck was 7-of-18 from the field including 5-of-8 from three-point range and her 24 points led all players in the game. She also notched six rebounds, five steals, four assists, and one block. Shelby Nichols and Quincey Baum scored 10 points apiece as well. Nichols bolstered her final line with five rebounds and four assists. The leading scorer for the Rattlers was Taylor Haggan with 20 points on 50-percent shooting from the field.
 
Mines (1-0) fueled its offense with defense. The Orediggers stacked up nine steals and forced St. Mary's (0-1) to commit 20 turnovers. Mines finished the game shooting 42 percent overall including a 44-percent mark from long range. The Orediggers committed just 12 turnovers. Also notable were three blocks for the home team compared to one block by the visitors. Both teams had 27 chances from the free-throw line with St. Mary's converting at 77 percent while Mines shot 81 percent at the charity stripe. Friday's game was part of the region crossover. Earlier in the day at Lockridge Arena, Regis defeated St. Edward's by a score of 74-60.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening period was a back-and-forth affair featuring six ties and six lead changes. Despite Steffeck's eight points in the first quarter, St. Mary's emerged with a 16-15 lead after 10 minutes of play. However, Mines started the second frame with a Loralee Stock layup which gave the home team all the way into halftime. A 6-0 run in the second quarter helped the Orediggers build their advantage. Six points from Jenna Siebert were also key as Mines went into the break with a 34-29 advantage.
 
After the teams came out of their respective locker rooms, it was clear that the Orediggers' weren't satisfied with their five-point margin. They outscored the Rattlers 24-14 in the third quarter. Emma Sixta accounted for seven of those points for Mines. While St. Mary's won the final period, 25-23, it was too little too late. Steffeck poured in 13 more points, the score was never tied, and the lead never changed. The final buzzer helped the Orediggers cap an effort that included 13 points off turnovers, 22 points in the paint, and 29 points off its bench.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 3-2 in the all-time series against St. Mary's.
- The Orediggers have now won three straight season openers.
- Friday was only Mines' second season opener at home since 2015.
- The Orediggers haven't lost to the Rattlers since 2016.
- Steffeck's five three-pointers moved her to #6 on Mines' all-time list. She surpassed Courtney Gallo who notched 142 three-pointers from 2010-14.
- Jessica Rios surpassed 200 points for her Oredigger career. She has 385 total in her collegiate career after playing two seasons at Sacramento State.
- Emma Sixta made her collegiate debut on Friday afternoon. She scored seven points in eight minutes, going 2-for-2 from behind the arc with one free thow. Sixta also had one assist and one board.
- Audrey Beaty played for the first time in a Mines uniform. Her final resume included seven points, two rebounds, two steals, and one block.
- Nichols' four assists were a career high for the fifth-year Oredigger.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 199-114 in her 12th season leading Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes opening weekend on Saturday, facing St. Edward's at 12 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena. Regis will face St. Mary's on the same court at 10 a.m. There will be free video on the RMAC Network at live stats and 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.­­­