ALAMOSA, Colo. – Twenty turnovers by the #10/9-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team led to 15 Adams State points as the Orediggers dropped a 69-68 heart-breaker to the Grizzlies at Plachy Hall.
In the loss,
Ashley Steffeck still led all players with 26 points while grabbing nine rebounds with two steals and one assist.
Jenna Siebert scored nine points.
Shelby Nichols had a game-high 11 rebounds. Also notable were five assists from
Josephine Howery and two blocks by
Loralee Stock.
Jessica Rios added eight points, six rebounds, one block and one steal as well.
The Orediggers (18-3, 13-2 RMAC) were limited to 34-percent shooting from three-point range and 40-percent shooting from the field. Adams State (15-7, 10-4 RMAC) converted nine out of 17 three-pointers and only committed 10 turnovers. Mines did go 17-of-19 at the free-throw line compared to ASU's 12-of-17 mark. The visitors earned a 41-24 win on the glass as well. However, in addition to their 15 points off turnovers, the Grizzlies found 30 points off the bench and scored 26 in the paint.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines lept out to a 10-2 lead in the opening quarter, but Adams State would not give up its home court so easily. A 7-0 run and five turnovers by the Orediggers put ASU right back in the game. After 10 minutes, the score was knotted at 15. However, the next 15 minutes of game action was dominated by the Grizzlies. They limited Mines to three field goals in the second quarter while exploding for 25 points. That led to a 40-30 halftime score.
The first five minutes of the second half proved relatively unremarkable as ASU held its proverbial serve. Then, at the 3:32 mark of the third quarter, the Orediggers exploded. A Steffeck three-pointer provided the spark, and the rest of Mines followed suit. The result was an 11-0 run for the visitors which turned into an 11-2 run after a Grizzly layup in the final 30 seconds. Going into the fourth quarter, ASU only held a 52-50 lead.
Over the final 10 minutes of game action, both heavyweights exchanged blows on the way to five ties and eight lead changes. A Nichols layup with 1:01 to play tied the game at 65. Adams State quickly took the lead, 67-65, but a wing three-pointer from Siebert gave the visitors a 68-67 advantage. After a timeout, ASU took the lead again with a jumper in the lane. Another timeout was taken. Afterwards, multiple scrambles ensued. Eventually, a last-second three-pointer was off the mark for Mines and the Grizzlies secured the win.
NOTABLES
- Mines is 29-36 in the all-time series against Adams State, but still sits 8-2 over the last 10 meetings.
- The Orediggers' last two losses to the Grizzlies have come by a total of five points.
- Steffeck moved over 1,500 points for her career. She's #2 in scoring in Mines' history.
- Steffeck also boasts 50 made three-pointers for the season.
- Nichols' 11 rebounds marked a career high for the graduate student.
- Stock tied her single-game high in blocks on Saturday night.
- The Orediggers remain #1 in the RMAC standings after Regis' loss to MSU Denver on Friday night.
- Head Coach
Brittany Simpson is 216-117 in her 12th season leading Mines.
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Black Hills State next Friday with South Dakota Mines in town on Saturday. Friday will be the annual "Rock the Lock" event. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Free live stats and video will be offered 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.
