GOLDEN, Colo. – Long-range shooting was a strength for the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team on Saturday afternoon, but Colorado Christian spoiled the performance and took a 74-61 win off the Orediggers at Lockridge Arena.
 
As a team, Mines (5-11, 3-5 RMAC) was 15-of-35 from behind the three-point arc. That clip gave the Orediggers their most three-pointers in a game this season and their second-best, three-point shooting percentage in the same span. In fact, it was the most three-point field goals by a Mines team in a single game since the 2021-22 season. Unfortunately for the Orediggers, Colorado Christian (4-12, 2-6 RMAC) converted almost 50 percent of its shots from the field and held the home team to a 32-percent mark from the floor. That, along with a positive turnover margin, made the difference for the Cougars. Elise Grodidier was their leading scorer with 28 points.
 
Individually, Jenna Siebert and Josephine Howery combined to score 36 of Mines' 61 points. Siebert used six three-pointers to get there and added four assists as well. Howery had a trio of three-pointers along with nine rebounds and three assists. Jessica Rios and Emma Sixta also came up with three long-range baskets each. Peyton Freiermuth dished out seven assists and Audrey Beaty grabbed eight rebounds to round out the Oredigger highlights.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a thrilling start for both teams on a frigid day in Golden. Colorado Christian made each of its first six shots. Siebert clapped back for Mines by starting 4-for-4 from downtown. That explosion all came in the first quarter and afforded the Orediggers a 21-17 lead after 10 minutes of action. However, CCU dealt the home team a huge blow in the second quarter by way of a 12-0 run. Mines couldn't find the bottom of the basket for more than five minutes. At halftime, the Cougars had claimed a 35-30 advantage.
 
Oredigger shooting in the third quarter largely came from behind the arc. All three made baskets for Mines were three-pointers. Rios finished the frame with six points and Howery had four. On the other side, Colorado Christian totaled 16 points for the period and extended its lead to double digits, 51-41. In the final period, the Orediggers once again recorded all of their baskets from behind the arc. Six three-pointers on 13 attempts gave the home team a 46.2-percent mark from three-point range. At the end of the day, CCU kept Mines at arm's length and pulled away for their third straight double-digit victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines remains ahead of Colorado Christian in the all-time series, 40-25.
- The Orediggers also own an 8-2 record in their last 10 meetings with the Cougars.
- Hensley had a career-high in blocks on Saturday with two swats.
- Siebert's six made three-pointers matched her collegiate best. She previously made six at Black Hills State on Dec. 9, 2023.
- The last time Mines had more than 15 made three-pointers in a game was against New Mexico Highlands on Jan. 26, 2022.
- Oredigger Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 224-134 in her 13th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts MSU Denver on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and free video on the RMAC Network 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.