GOLDEN, Colo. – The #6/7-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team ran up against a hot-shooting Regis squad on Friday evening at Lockridge Arena, and the Rangers handed the Orediggers a 93-74 setback.
 
Even in the loss, Ashley Steffeck dominated for Mines. She led all players with 28 points while adding five rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Steffeck committed zero personal fouls or turnovers. Jessica Rios and Jenna Siebert contributed 11 points apiece. Other Oredigger leaders included Shelby Nichols with seven rebounds, and Loralee Stock with four assists. The Rangers had four individuals record at least 18 points. Erin Fry turned in a 21-point, 11-assist double-double for RU.
 
Mines (14-2, 9-1 RMAC) saw its 12-game win streak halted as Regis (13-3, 8-2 RMAC) shot 52 percent from three-point range and 53 percent from the floor. The Orediggers managed a 41-percent clip from long range with a 44-percent mark from the floor. Mines and RU combined to go 22-of-47 from behind the arc. Each team committed just nine turnovers, but Regis finished with a 39-28 advantage on the glass resulting in 14 second-chance points and 42 points in the paint. Despite the setback, the Orediggers maintained sole possession of first place in the conference standings, but only hold a one-game advantage on #2 Regis.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opening quarter, Regis jumped out to a 16-7 lead. Three-pointers from Rios and Howery fueled a 10-0 run to give Mines a 17-16 lead. But the Rangers ended the quarter on a 9-1 run including a buzzer-beater from behind the arc making the score 25-16 after 10 minutes of action. The visitors pushed that advantage all the way to 16 points during the second quarter thanks to an 11-0 run. Steffeck scored six points in the frame while Rios and Siebert tallied five apiece. Another Regis buzzer-beater before the half made the margin 47-36.
 
Unfortunately for the home team, the Rangers did not cool off in the second half. They offset Steffeck's 10 points in the third quarter by dropping 29 as a team on 73-percent shooting. That included a 5-of-7 mark from long range and just four missed field goals. Steffeck scored seven more points in the final period, but it was not enough. Even though RU shot just 33 percent in the fourth quarter, the Rangers still outscored Mines on the way to the 93-74 final score.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 29-56 in the all-time series against Regis, but the Orediggers are still 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with the Rangers.
- Steffeck was 100% on nine free-throw attempts. She's now #3 in program history for career made free throws, surpassing Emily Dalton's 343 from 2006-10).
- Rios finished Friday's game 3-for-5 from three-point range and 4-for-6 from the floor.
- Mines' nine turnovers against Regis mark its fewest in a game this season.
- Friday was the Orediggers' first loss in over 60 days.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 212-116 in her 12th season leading Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts UCCS on Saturday at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Live stats and free video on the RMAC Network will also be linked at www.minesathletics.com.
 
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.­­­