ALAMOSA, Colo. – Turnovers were the demise of the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team on Thursday night as the Orediggers dropped their conference opener to Adams State by a score of 75-63.
 
Jenna Siebert and Josephine Howery provided the box score highlights for the visitors. Siebert led all players with 26 points. She added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal as well. Howery tallied 20 points. She led all players on the glass by grabbing seven rebounds. Also notable were six points and six rebounds from Audrey Beaty. Peyton Freiermuth, Beaty, and Jessica Rios each blocked a shot. Emma Sixta recorded three assists.
 
As a team, Mines (2-6, 0-1 RMAC) was productive on offense. The Orediggers shot over 45 percent from the field and converted 13 of 16 opportunities at the free-throw line. Adams State (6-4, 1-0 RMAC) thrived on defense by forcing 18 turnovers by Mines. The Grizzlies also made eight three-pointers which offset a 55-percent mark at the free-throw line. By the final buzzer, ASU had scored 32 of its 75 points off turnovers.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ten turnovers in the opening quarter put Mines in an early hole against the defending co-conference champions. However, the Orediggers hung tough with the Grizzlies by shooting over 45 percent from the floor as Siebert poured in six points. The visitor's defense also held ASU close to 30 percent on offense while also putting together a 6-0 run. After 10 minutes of action, Mines only faced a 17-14 deficit. Unfortunately for the Orediggers, Adams State caught fire in the second quarter. The home team converted over 60 percent of its shots including a trio of three-pointers. Howery surging to 11 points in the game did little to mitigate ASU's 42-25 lead at halftime. Eight more turnovers made it difficult for Mines as well.
 
The Orediggers chipped two points off the Grizzlies' lead in the third quarter. In the same frame, both teams got hot from range with a combined five made three-pointers. Once again, turnovers played a huge role as seven for Mines hindered any larger rally. A relatively, evenly-matched final frame removed any excitement of a comeback. Late free-throw shooting for Adams State was shaky, but just enough to cement the double-digit final margin.
 
NOTABLES
- The all-time series between Mines and Adams State now sits at 38-29 in favor of ASU.
- Howery matched her collegiate best with six made free throws on Thursday night.
- Over her last three outings, Siebert has averaged more than 18 points per game.
- Siebert also boasts exactly 100 assists for her career as an Oredigger.
- Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 221-129 in her 13th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines faces New Mexico Highlands on Saturday in Las Vegas, N.M., at 1 p.m. Live video and stats will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter), Facebook, 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.