BILLINGS, Mont. – The Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team dropped a 72-70 thriller to Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon at the D2CCA Tipoff at the Trailhead hosted by MSU Billings.
 
No player in the game had more points than Jenna Shandy's 20. Shandy also contributed seven rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal. Sophia Baal recorded 14 points on 66-percent shooting with one rebound and one steal. Quincey Baum provided more box-score highlights with her eight points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block. Jordan Sears earned Player of the Game honors for UNK after scoring 14 points with six steals, five rebounds, two assists, and one block.
 
The Orediggers (0-2) dominated the turnover battle, 19-24, and shot over 45 percent from the field. However, Nebraska-Kearney (1-1) posted a 45-28 rebounding advantage to offset its 37-percent shooting percentage. The Lopers also benefitted from 32 free-throw attempts, sinking 26 of those chances. Mines had 11 trips to the line and only made six. Also notable were the Orediggers' 40 points in the paint and 25 points off turnovers. In comparison, UNK had just 26 points in the paint and nine points off turnovers. In the end, Nebraska-Kearney's rebound advantage aided 14 second-chance points and played a role in just one tie and one lead change in the game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Baskets by Jade Leon and Quincey Baum pushed Mines to a 4-0 lead just 70 seconds after tipoff. Nebraska-Kearney responded with an 11-2 run. That push helped the Lopers outscore the Orediggers, 20-16, in the first quarter. Momentum stayed on UNK's side in a 27-13 second period. Lindsey Jones and Shandy combined for nine of Mines' 13 points. After halftime, the Orediggers started to surge. Leon registered seven points on perfect shooting in a 23-16 third quarter. Then, Baal and Shandy poured in six more points apiece in the final 10 minutes. Mines pulled within two points multiple times across the last 6:39 of play. Emily Thomas even hit a bucket to make it 72-69 under the 1:00 mark. Unfortunately for the Orediggers, a late three and a foul on the offensive rebound came with no time on the clock and Mines had to settle for another single-digit loss.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines sits 10-36 all-time against the former RMAC member Nebraska-Kearney.
- Shandy now boasts exactly 300 collegiate rebounds.
- Baal's 14 points mark an early career-high for the true freshman.
- Baum's seven assists on Saturday are also a single-game best for the graduate student.
- Liv Loveland recorded her first points as an Oredigger.
- Oredigger Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 232-141 in her 14th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines faces tipoff host MSU Billings on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Free live stats will be available, as well as live video with a subscription to the GNAC 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.