GUNNISON, Colo. – The #10-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team earned its ninth straight win on Saturday afternoon thanks to a 61-56 victory over Western Colorado at Paul Wright Gym.
Jenna Siebert proved key for the Orediggers as she scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, and committed zero turnovers.
Ashley Steffeck was utilitarian with 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Steffeck also went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line.
Loralee Stock buckled on her utility belt as well adorned it with six points, six rebounds, five steals, and one assist. Other notables included a block from
Audrey Beaty,
Emma Sixta's nine-point, two assist afternoon, and four steals by
Shelby Nichols.
As a team, Mines (11-1, 6-0 RMAC) only shot 28 percent from the floor, but converted at 47 percent from three-point range while forcing Western Colorado (2-8, 0-5 RMAC) into 24 turnovers. The Orediggers committed just 12 turnovers and claimed a 37-33 win on the glass. Ten ties and seven lead changes were the result of the Mountaineers' 26 points in the paint. Mines clinched the win by scoring 27 points off turnovers, 18 points on second chances, and 16 points off the bench. The Orediggers' defense limited Western Colorado to six points off turnovers, five points on second chances and three points off the bench.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An intriguing box score greeted fans, players, and coaches after 10 minutes of play in Gunnison, Colo., on Saturday afternoon. In the first quarter, Mines shot just 25 percent overall but went 2-of-3 from long range and racked up six steals on eight Western Colorado turnovers. Even so, the home team touted a 13-9 lead thanks to a trio of three-pointers and 41-percent shooting from the floor. In the second quarter, the Orediggers found their first lead of the game as Sixta and Siebert combined to score 11 points. By halftime, the visitors only faced a 25-23 deficit despite their 25-percent shooting.
Not much changed in a back-and-forth second half. Beaty, Siebert, and Stock totaled 17 points in the third quarter with Mines scoring 20 overall compared to 17 from WCU. Steffeck and Siebert won the final period as Steffeck scored eight and Siebert tallied seven points. An 11-of-12 mark at the free-throw line highlighted the fourth frame and clinched the win for the Orediggers.
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 32-38 in the all-time series against Western Colorado.
- The Orediggers have won seven straight meetings with the Mountaineers.
- Mines hasn't lost to Western Colorado since Dec. 18, 2020.
- Siebert's 19 points at WCU put her over 300 for her career. She was 4-of-6 from behind the arc and a career-best 7-for-8 at the free-throw line in 31 minutes of action.
- Nichols posted a career high on Saturday with her four steals.
- Stock notched two single-game bests thanks to her five steals and six rebounds. She also had six rebounds against Adams State last season.
- Mines' nine straight wins give the Orediggers the longest, active winning streak in the entire Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Adams State has won seven straight and is also unbeaten in RMAC play.
- Head Coach
Brittany Simpson is 209-115 in her 12th season leading Mines.
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines will have three weeks off from competition for the holiday break. The Orediggers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 6, hosting Colorado Christian at 1 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena.
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
