GOLDEN, Colo. – The Oredigger women's basketball team suffered its first loss of 2026 Saturday afternoon at Lockridge Arena, falling to MSU Denver 72-59.
 
Sofia Baldessari poured in a game-high 30 points. She added eight rebounds, one assist, and one block as well. Emma Sixta and Jade Leon grabbed 10 rebounds each with Sixta also notching seven points, four assists, and two steals. Quincey Baum finished the game touting five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals. Mikylah Espinosa led the opposition by scoring 20 points with six rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one block.
 
The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Orediggers (12-9, 7-3 RMAC). Free-throw shooting and defense were key for MSU Denver (7-11, 5-5 RMAC) to get the win. The Roadrunners converted 14 of their 16 free-throw opportunities and held Mines to 30-percent shooting from the floor. The Orediggers drained eight three-points with 37 of their 76 shots coming from behind the arc. They were only 5-of-9 at the charity stripe, but did win the turnover battle, 9-11. On the other side, MSU Denver matched the home team's eight three-pointers and also tallied 32 points in the paint.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game started with MSU Denver playing zone defense. That stymied Mines and kept the Orediggers to just two made field goals in the first 10 minutes of action. The home team bounced back and scored 16 points in the second quarter. Mines even pulled within two points of MSU Denver as part of a 23-point outburst in the third period. Baldessari cut the deficit to two points again by sinking a three-pointer at the start of the fourth frame. However, the Roadrunners kept the Orediggers at arm's length with timely baskets and a 6-for-6 mark at the free-throw line. Mines never made it to the charity stripe during the final 10 minutes of the game, and the visitors pulled away despite 10 fourth-quarter points off the hand of Baldessari.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines dropped to 35-56 all-time against MSU Denver, but still sits 8-2 in its last 10 meetings with the Roadrunners.
- Saturday results from around the RMAC keep the Orediggers tied for #3 in the conference standings.
- Baldessari now has three games this season with 30 points or more. She's up to 323 points in a Mines uniform and 425 points in her college career.
- Baum surpassed 100 career assists on Saturday afternoon.
- Sophia Baal's two assists against MSU Denver matched her single-game best.
- Sixta posted a new career high in rebounds with 10 on Saturday.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 244-148 in her 14th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines travels to Fort Lewis on Thursday and Adams State on Saturday. Live video will be available with a subscription to the RMAC Network and there will be free live stats 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.