MANKATO, Minn. – The Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team suffered a 94-66 setback Friday evening at the hands of #8-ranked Minnesota State.
 
Madison Gage's 22 points were a bright spot for the visitors as she went 6-of-8 from behind the three-point line and 8-for-13 from the floor overall. Gage also had six rebounds and three steals in 22 minutes of action. Sophia Baal shot 66 percent on her way to 14 points and five rebounds. Jenna Shandy provided a utilitarian effort by way of 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jade Leon's eight points and nine rebounds rounded out the Oredigger highlights. Natalie Bremer led the home team in scoring with 15 points in 16 minutes of action.
 
Minnesota State (5-0) marked the third nationally-ranked opponent for Mines (1-5) this season. The Orediggers won the battle on the boards with 43 rebounds, and handed out more assisted baskets. However, the Mavericks' defense produced 30 steals on 42 turnovers by Mines. That was too much for the visitors to overcome, even after shooting over 40 percent from the floor and 100 percent at the free-throw line. That being said, the Oredigger defense forced the home team to miss 47 shots and limited them to just a trio of three-pointers.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Baal put Mines on the board first in the opening quarter. Eventually, Minnesota State used 17 Oredigger turnovers to fuel a 22-point run and take a 37-8 lead into the first break. The Mavericks limited Mines to five points in the second quarter, and produced another 20-point run. The Orediggers went to the locker room at halftime facing down a 65-13 deficit.
 
Despite the margin, Mines did not give up. Gage's nine points on three long-range shots helped the Orediggers outscore Minnesota State in the third quarter. 21-19. The fourth quarter featured a 32-10 outburst by Mines including nine more points by Gage and eight from Shandy.  A 16-6 rebounding advantage in the frame helped with the surge. In the end, it was too little too late for the visitors.
 
NOTABLES
- Friday was the third-ever meeting between Mines and Minnesota State.
- The series between the Orediggers and Mavericks sits 2-1 in favor of MSU
- Baal (14 points) and Gage (22 points) both set career highs in scoring on Friday with Gage matching her single-game best in rebounding and steals as well.
- Sofia Baldessari matched her collegiate best with two steals and two assists against the Mavericks.
- Six made three-pointers were also a career high for Gage.
- Liv Loveland added her own career high thanks to six rebounds.
- Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 233-144 in her 14th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers are back at home on Tuesday, Nov. 25, for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff against Rogers State. Free live stats will be available, as well as live video with a subscription to the RMAC Network.
 
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.