LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A second-half rally helped the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team force an extra period on Saturday afternoon, but Orediggers eventually fell to New Mexico Highlands in overtime by a score of 74-73.
 
The rally and overtime yielded some big performances for Mines. Jenna Siebert led all players with 26 points. She added six rebounds and six assists as well. Josephine Howery chipped in 15 points and was tops in the game with eight rebounds. She also had two assists and two steals. Audrey Beaty made it a trio of Orediggers touting double-digit scoring numbers thanks to 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Also notable were four steals by Emma Sixta. The leading scorer for NMHU was Juliana Aragon who scored 22 including the game-winning shot.
 
Mines (2-7, 0-2 RMAC) was 25-54 from the floor for a mark of 46.3 percent. However, the Orediggers only made two three-pointers on 14 attempts. New Mexico Highlands (4-4, 1-1 RMAC) converted exactly half its shots, but only made 12 out of 20 free throws. Ten steals for the Cowgirls and 18 turnovers by Mines helped the home team overcome their woes at the charity stripe. The Cowgirls also scored 48 of their points in the paint and found 28 points off the bench. In comparison, the Orediggers only had nine points off the bench and 36 points in the paint.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orediggers scored first thanks to Beaty's early work in the lane. She sank a layup less than 30 seconds into the game. It ended up being Mines' only lead of the half and it only lasted 26 seconds. Twenty minutes of game action later, the visitors found themselves facing a 37-26 deficit with Beaty, Howery, and Siebert accounting for 25 of the Orediggers' 26 points.
 
The trip to the locker room proved timely and fortuitous for Mines. They came out of the break and exploded for 42 second-half points. Siebert and Beaty combined for 13 points in the third quarter while Howery pulled down three rebounds. Siebert then surged for eight more points in the fourth quarter including a jumper at the 5:56 mark which tied the game for the first time since the opening period. With 3:14 left to play in the game, Jessica Rios drained a three-pointer and gave the Orediggers the lead. Howery pushed that lead to four points on two occasions in the final minutes with a total of four free-throws.
 
Unfortunately for the Orediggers, a late and-one play allowed NMHU to tie the game. But the Cowgirls failed to take the lead after missing the free throw. Overtime saw Mines only make two field goals and one free throw. New Mexico Highlands made three field goals. There were no three-pointers made and both teams had two turnovers as the home team closed out the win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines and New Mexico Highlands are now tied at 35 wins apiece in the all-time series.
- The Orediggers' last overtime game was against Colorado Mesa on Dec. 1, 2023. They defeated the Mavericks, 89-85, in two extra periods.
- Mines trailed by as many as 13 points on Saturday and led for less than five minutes in the entire game.
- Siebert has scored at least 26 points in three of her last four games.
- Beaty's six made field goals on Saturday were a career high for the junior.
- Sixta also had a career high in steals and Siebert had a collegiate best with eight made free throws.
- Howery surpassed 200 assists for her career.
- Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 221-130 in her 13th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers' next action will be at home on Saturday against Colorado Mesa. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be offered 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.