DURANGO, Colo. – The Oredigger duo of Ashley Steffeck and Megan Van de Graaf powered the #16 Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team to a 78-75 win at Fort Lewis on Friday night.
 
It was a historic night for Steffeck and Van de Graaf. Steffeck surpassed 1,000 points for her career thanks to a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double. She also dished out five assists. Van de Graaf poured in 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds while adding one assist, one block, and one steal. She became the 13th Oredigger in program history to score 30 points, or more, in one game. Sammy Van Sickle notched eight rebounds, five points, three assists, and three steals. Ashley Van Sickle also had three steals.
 
As a team, Mines (22-5, 18-4 RMAC) shot over 45 percent from the field and forced 16 Fort Lewis (9-19, 6-16 RMAC) turnovers. The Skyhawks held the advantage from three-point range and at the free-throw line. However, the Orediggers offset the discrepancy with 40 points in the paint, 23 points off turnovers, and 43 rebounds. In comparison, FLC had 30 points in the paint, 14 points off turnovers, and 32 rebounds. That being said, Fort Lewis benefitted from 36 points off the bench.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Steffeck started the game 3-for-3 from three-point land with a layup by Van de Graaf mixed in. By the end of the first quarter, Steffeck still hadn't missed a shot. However, Fort Lewis' 8-0 run to end the period gave them a 22-19 lead after 10 minutes of action. Mines started the second quarter on a 7-0 run with Van de Graaf accounting for all seven points. A Steffeck free throw with 1:11 to go in the half put her one step closer to being the Godfather, or Godmother if you will, of Mines women's basketball as she surpassed 1,000 points for her career. But, the Skyhawks went on another run, 6-0 this time, and cut their deficit to 42-40 at the break.
 
The third quarter saw the Oredigger shoot just 33 percent from the floor while FLC converted at a 50-percent clip. Even so, Van de Graaf managed 12 more points in the period, but the home team's shooting gave them a 60-58 lead going into the final quarter. Steffeck stepped back up and scored 10 more points in the fourth frame. Mines' defense helped the effort by holding Fort Lewis to 16-percent shooting from the floor. Steffeck also grabbed five more rebounds down the stretch and helped the visitors close out a three-point win on the road during the Skyhawks' Senior Night.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 25-37 in the all-time series against Fort Lewis.
- The Orediggers have won six straight meetings with the Skyhawks and haven't lost since Jan. 11, 2020.
- Mines hasn't lost to FLC in Durango since 2017.
- Steffeck became the 12th Oredigger in program history to record 1,000 points in a career. She now has 1,010 points which ranks #12 and is 60 shy of Emily Bailey's 1,070.
- Van de Graaf was the 14th individual in program history to score 30 points in a game. Her 31 points against Fort Lewis are tied for #8 on the all-time, single-game list.
- The last Oredigger to score 30 points in a game was Denali Pinto during the 2021-22 season.
- Steffeck tied her career high with 13 rebounds. She also had 13 boards against CSU Pueblo in 2021-22 and at MSU Denver earlier this season.
- Mines' win on Saturday combined with Regis' win at CSU Pueblo gave the Rangers the outright RMAC title and the #1 seed for the RMAC Tournament.
- The Orediggers are the #2 seed in the conference tournament.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 196-112 in her 11th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines opens the 2022-23 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday inside Lockridge Arena against seventh-seeded Colorado Mesa at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Pass lists are not allowed for the postseason. 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.­­­