HONOLULU – Mines women's basketball played the first of two games at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic Thursday evening and suffered a 76-55 loss at the hands of Alaska Anchorage.
 
Emma Sixta led the Orediggers (4-8) in scoring with 12 points. Sofia Baldessari was right behind with 10 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Alaska Anchorage (8-2) rode Mahaila Harrison's 31 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks to victory. Also notable for Mines was Jade Leon who nearly had a double-double with 12 rebounds and seven points. Leon added four assists as well. A 35-percent shooting percentage and 27 turnovers hindered the Orediggers. The Seawolves had 80 shot attempts and only committed 14 turnovers. Mines earned more free-throw attempts and shot 60 percent while UAA converted 4-of-7 chances from the stripe. Another plus for the Orediggers was a 42-41 rebounding advantage.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines scored just six field goals during the first half Thursday evening. That low rate and a 12-0 run in the second quarter helped Alaska Anchorage to a 33-17, halftime lead. The Orediggers bounced back with 15 points in the third quarter as Baldessari and Sixta combined for 10 of those points. Mines even outscored the Seawolves in the fourth quarter, 23-20, thanks to Sixta's seven points and five points off the hand of Gage. However, UAA's biggest lead of the game was 24 early in the final period. That cushion helped the Seawolves the victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Thursday marked the first meeting between Mines and Alaska Anchorage since 2012.
- The Seawolves had been nationally ranked until the Tuesday prior to Thursday's showdown.
- Gage notched nine points for the Orediggers in her return to Hawaii after playing two years at Chaminade.
- Alaska Anchorage scored 48 points in the paint and had 22 points off turnovers.
- The Orediggers had 26 points in the pain, 11 points off turnovers, and 20 points off the bench.
- Leon's 12 rebounds were a career high. So were two steals for Olivia Campbell.
- Coach Simpson is now 236-147 in her 14th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes its trip to the Pacific Islands Saturday with a showdown against Hawaii Pacific. Tipoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. HT/5:30 p.m. MT.
 
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.