RAPID CITY, S.D. – An incredible, 17-point rally in the second half by the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team came up just short on Saturday after South Dakota Mines pulled out a 63-62 win on a late pair of free throws.
 
Jenna Siebert keyed the surge with 11 fourth-quarter points. Her 31 points for the game led all players. Siebert added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal as well. Josephine Howery did her part by scoring 13 points with eight of those coming in the third quarter. She also added two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Emma Sixta made it three Orediggers scoring in double digits thanks to 11 points. Isa Hensley added six rebounds to round out the highlights for the visitors. The home team benefited from four double-digit scorers led by Miquedah Taliman's 19 points.
 
As a team, Colorado School of Mines (4-10, 2-4 RMAC) forced South Dakota Mines (2-11, 2-4 RMAC) into 15 turnovers. Comparatively, the Orediggers only committed 10 turnovers. Neither squad shot over 40 percent from the floor, but SDM did convert 53 percent of its three-point attempts and held the visitors to 19 percent from behind the arc. Colorado School of Mines did go 12-of-14 at the free-throw line, but the Hardrockers owned the glass with 38-26 advantage in rebounds. That was enough to offset South Dakota Mines' 75-percent mark at the charity stripe. In the end, the Orediggers' biggest asset was 34 points in the paint and 22 points off turnovers compared to 20 and 11 by the home team.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The ladies from Colorado came out of the gate and put together a promising opening period. They poured in 19 points on 41-percent shooting and held the South Dakota squad to a 35-percent clip from the floor. Siebert led the effort by scoring eight points in the first 10 minutes. However, the Hardrockers exploded for 25 points in the second quarter and limited the Orediggers to just nine points. The home team also posted a 12-3 win on the glass. By halftime, the visitors were staring at a 39-25 deficit.
 
After the break, Howery took the reins for Colorado School of Mines on offense and poured in eight third-quarter points. The Oredigger defense also swarmed South Dakota Mines and forced eight turnovers which helped fuel a 9-2 run to close the period. With one quarter to play, the ladies from Colorado had closed the game to 53-45. The final frame was mostly a grind for the visitors, but they continued to chip away at the lead. From the 6:25 mark until 42 seconds remained, the Orediggers held the Hardrockers scoreless as part of a 9-0 run. With 41 seconds to play, SDM converted one of two free-throw opportunities to make the score 61-58. A layup from Siebert pulled Colorado School of Mines within one point.
 
Then, the Orediggers put on the press and forced a 10-second call and a Hardrocker turnover. Siebert made the most of the visitor's stand and nailed a turnaround jumper in the paint. That provided Colorado School of Mines a 62-61 lead. In the end, after a SDM timeout, the Orediggers were whistled for a foul on the inbound attempt. That sent the home team to the free-throw line for two shots with only three seconds to play. South Dakota Mines converted both, the visitor's counter was blown dead and reset by the referees, and Siebert's final heave ended up off target.
 
NOTABLES
- Colorado School of Mines still owns a 13-7 advantage in the all-time series against South Dakota Mines.
- The Orediggers are also 8-2 in their last 10 meetings with the Hardrockers.
- Siebert went over 30 points for the second time this season. She is only the fifth Oredigger who has scored 30 points in a game multiple times in her career.
- The other Orediggers with multiple 30-point games include Denali Pinto, Ashley Steffeck, Mary Meager, and Angie Charchalis.
- Oredigger Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 223-133 in her 13th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts CSU Pueblo on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network 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.