Mines (7-8, 2-2 RMAC) vs. Chadron State (0-9, 0-4 RMAC) – Thursday, 5 p.m. – Lockridge Arena [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (7-8, 2-2 RMAC) vs. South Dakota Mines (5-7, 3-1 RMAC) – Saturday, 1 p.m. – Lockridge Arena [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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RMAC ACTION RETURNS
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action resumes this week for Colorado School of Mines women's basketball, and it's back for good. The Orediggers host Chadron State at Lockridge Arena on Thursday at 5 p.m. Saturday brings South Dakota Mines to Golden for a 1 p.m. tipoff. Both dates are basketball doubleheaders with Mines' men to follow as both teams start a 16-game run to end of the regular season with only RMAC opponents on the schedule.
 
GET YOUR TICKETS
All fans planning to attend this week's games are encouraged to purchase digital tickets online in advance at tickets.minesthletics.com. Tickets are available at the door if needed. Mines students and employees can access their free tickets by logging in with their Mines SSO. Blaster Card scanning no longer works to get into any Oredigger home game. Additionally, one ticket Thursday and one ticket Saturday covers both the women and the Mines men's basketball doubleheaders.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Fans can watch this weekend's action with a subscription to the RMAC Network. Miles Dunklin will have the call for both the men and women. There will also be free live stats linked above and at www.minesathletics.com.
 
RMAC NETWORK CHANGES
During the fall, the RMAC Network moved to a pay-per-view model for all events. Fans can purchase monthly and annual subscriptions that will provide them access to all regular-season, championship, and archived broadcasts on the RMAC Network. A monthly subscription costs $25, and an annual subscription costs $130. Single-game passes are available for $10, which grants access to a single game for 24 hours. For technical support questions, fans can contact Hudl Support or email the RMAC directly (rmac@rmacsports.org). For further support, fans can visit the RMAC Network Help page.
 
HALFWAY THERE
This week marks the halfway point of Mines' 31-game slate in 2025-26. To date, the Orediggers are 7-8 overall with a 2-2 mark in RMAC play. Their 11-game, non-conference slate featured three nationally-ranked opponents including #20 UT Tyler, #3 Texas Woman's, and #8 Minnesota State. Mines also faced then-#13 Colorado Mesa as part of RMAC play. In the latest national rankings, Minnesota State sits #2, Texas Woman's is #3, and Colorado Mesa is #10. It's also notable that Alaska Anchorage was nationally-ranked for the first six weeks of the season.  In conference action, Mines touts wins over New Mexico Highlands and Westminster with losses to Adams State and Colorado Mesa. The Orediggers' conference record of 2-2 has them tied for #8 in the RMAC standings. Colorado Mesa and Adams State are tied for #1 at 4-0.
 
RUNNIN' HOT
Mines' women started the 2025-26 campaign 1-5. However, the Orediggers' enter the back half of their schedule riding a modest three-game win streak. They closed the 2025 calendar with a 56-53 victory at Hawaii Pacific. After the calendar flipped, Mines hosted Nelson and Northern New Mexico on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3. The Orediggers dismantled the Warriors, 98-42, and doubled up the Eagles, 100-49. Now, they put their streak on the line against 0-9 Chadron State and 5-7 South Dakota Mines.
 
BALDESSARI BREAKS RECORD
Sophomore forward Sofia Baldessari broke the program's single-game scoring record last Friday after torching Nelson for 45 points inside Lockridge Arena. The previous record was 40 points set by teammate Jenna Shandy at home against Chadron State last season. That makes Baldessari the first Oredigger woman to ever go over 40 points in a single game. Her 45 points are also tied for #4 in RMAC history and #1 in NCAA Division II this season. She accomplished the feat in just 26 minutes of action while going 4-for-9 from three-point range, 16-of-23 from the floor, and 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. She had a career-high five steals as well. Also notable in the same game were seven assists for Shandy – six of which were to Baldessari. So far during the 2025-26 season, only three players across all three divisions of the NCAA have scored more points in a game than Baldessari. One of those is Audi Crooks from Iowa State. Mines' sophomore transfer hails from Englewood, Colo., and graduated from Douglas County High School before playing her freshman season at College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota.
 
RMAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The Orediggers' dominant victories last weekend led to a Mines sweep of RMAC Offensive Player of the Week and RMAC Defensive Player of the Week. Sofia Baldessari earned the offensive award and Jade Leon won the defensive award. Baldessari's honor came thanks to her record-breaking 45 points against Nelson. She followed up with 25 points against Northern New Mexico and finished the weekend averaging 35.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 stelas, 1.0 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 46 percent from three-point range, 65 percent from the floor, and 91 percent at the free-throw line. Leon won her first-ever weekly award by averaging 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game to go along with 9.5 points per game. She pulled down 13 rebounds against Nelson and snagged five steals against Northern New Mexico.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The last time Mines was in action was at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic in Honolulu on Dec. 18 and 20. Thursday marked a showdown with Alaska Anchorage which the Orediggers dropped, 76-55. In the loss, Emma Sixta Scored 12 points and Sofia Baldessari had 10 points with nine rebounds and two steals. Jade Leon did a little bit of everything by notching seven points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. On Saturday, Mines faced the host school Hawaii Pacific and won by a score of 56-53. Jenna Shandy led all Orediggers with 15 points. She also had three steals. Leon struck again by way of six points, five assists, three rebounds, three steals, and one block. Also notable in the win were seven rebounds, six points, two assists, and one steal for Baldessari.
 
JENNA SHANDY
Jenna Shandy surpassed 1,000 career points earlier this season, and was officially honored with a commemorative ball prior to tipoff against Northern New Mexico on Jan. 3. The redshirt senior continues to climb the all-time rankings in the program record book as well. With 16 games remaining in her collegiate career, Shandy now boasts 1,183 points which ranks #9 in program history. She's just 42 points shy of tying Ja'net Proctor's 1,225 points from 1992-96. Additionally, Shandy has drained 166 three-pointers in her career which ranks #7 in the program record book. She needs three more makes from long range to tie Sammy Van Sickle's 169 three-pointers from 2018-23. Furthmore, Shandy moved over 200 career assists before the new year. She needs 11 more dimes to tie Marissa Eichorn (1998-02) for #11 on Mines' all-time list.
 
MORE SHANDY
Many fans know her as Jenna Siebert, but now they'll know her as Jenna Shandy. In the midst of her final season, Shandy has made her mark as one of Mines' most prolific scorers – ever. To start, she surpassed 1,000 points for her career on opening weekend of the 2025-26 season. Last year, the Valor Christian High School graduate broke the program's single-game scoring record by dropping 40 points on Chadron State in just 28 minutes of action at Lockridge Arena. A record toppled by teammate Sofia Baldessari this season. That performance was one of five for Shandy featuring 30 points or more in single game – tied for first in program history with Denali Pinto and Ashley Steffeck. Shandy's 547 points in 2024-25 are #3 in program history and her 19.5 points per game rank #2 for season scoring average in program history. Furthermore, the mechanical engineering major broke the Oredigger women's season record with 203 made field goals – a record that had stood since the 1985-86 season. Shandy is also #7 and tied for #17 for three-point field goals made in a season.
 
WEEKEND RECAP
Mines broke its 12-day game hiatus last weekend with a pair of home games at Lockridge Arena. Friday featured the first-ever showdown between the Orediggers and Nelson University out of Arizona. The home team won, 98-42, after Sofia Baldessari outscored the Warriors herself. As previously mentioned, she finished with 45 points which broke the program's single-game record. She also added seven rebounds, five steals, one block, and one assist. Jenna Shandy kicked in 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Jade Leon was big with 13 rebounds, five points, three steals, and three assists. Lindsey Jones scored 10 points, Quincey Baum had five steals, and Emily Thomas handed out four assists too. On Saturday, Mines cruised to a 100-49 victory in its first-ever meeting with Northern New Mexico. That box score featured five double-digit scorers for the Orediggers led by Baldessari's 25 points with Jade Leon, Emma Sixa, Jenna Shandy, and Olivia Campbell on the list as well. Quincey Baum put together an impressive utilitarian effort with eight rebounds, eight assists, three blocks, and three steals.
 
SCOUTING CHADRON STATE
Chadron State entered the 2025-26 season with a new head coach in Jalen Little. Thus far, the Eagles are 0-9 overall and 0-4 in RMAC play. All nine losses have come by double digits. The closest margin of defeat was 66-54 in back-to-back conference games at home against CSU Pueblo and UCCS. McKenzi Petersen is CSC's leading scorer thanks to 9.9 points per game. She's also tops on the glass with 5.2 rebounds per game. Kenna Wagner is notable as well, touting 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Chadron State's most recent action was on the road at #7 Fort Hays State on Friday, Dec. 19. The final score was 92-49. Wagner led the Eagles' scoring with 10 points.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE EAGLES
Mines and Chadron State have faced off 70 times in women's basketball. The Orediggers lead the all-time series, 36-34, and boast an active nine-game win streak against the Eagles. Mines and CSC played twice last season. The meeting in Nebraska was a 55-45 win on Jan. 9 for the visitors. The Orediggers defended their home court on Feb. 15 by a score of 87-57. That 87-57 win was fueled by Jenna Shandy's 40 points which was Mines' single-game scoring record at the time. Shandy also scored 23 points in Chadron. The last time the Orediggers lost to Chadron State was on Jan. 26, 2019. The final margin was 76-73 after confusion led to a backcourt violation on Mines in the final 11 seconds of the game. The Orediggers haven't lost to CSC in Golden since Jan. 27. 2012.
 
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines is also under new leadership in the form of Head Coach Kyley Bachand. She has her team sitting 5-7 overall with a 3-1 record in RMAC play. A 1-5 start to the season put SDM behind the eight ball. However, the Hardrockers won three straight to begin conference play including victories against Black Hills State, Chadron State, and Colorado Christian. Their only RMAC loss is at home against Pueblo. South Dakota Mines fell at Kearney, 80-67, just before the holiday break. On Sunday, the Hardrockers edged Minnesota Crookston, 80-79, thanks to a last-second shot. South Dakota Mines will play MSU Denver on Thursday before coming to Golden on Saturday. Savea Mansfield leads a trio of Hardrockers averaging double figures in scoring. Mansfield averages 17.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. Morning Grace Spotted Bear is a force to be reckoned with thanks to 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Sharpshooter Addison Miranda ranks #19 in the nation in made three-pointers per game, touting 33 on the season. As a team, SDM ranks #17 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE HARDROCKERS
Colorado School of Mines leads the all-time series with South Dakota Mines by a 13-7 margin. The Orediggers took eight straight games from the Hardrockers between 2020 and 2024. South Dakota Mines snapped that skid last season with a 63-62 win in Rapid City, S.D. Jenna Shandy accounted for 31 of the Orediggers' 62 points in the loss. Emma Sixta scored 11. The last time Colorado School of Mines lost to SDM in Golden was Feb. 22, 2020, on the Orediggers' Senior Night. It was a 77-75 margin.
 
HARDROCKER TIES
Current Oredigger guard Emily Thomas is originally from Highlands Ranch, Colo., and graduated from Arapahoe High School. Prior to her arrival in Golden, Thomas played two years for South Dakota Mines under the Hardrockers' previous head coach. Her freshman campaign ended early due to injury, but she still managed 2.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. Last year, Thomas played in 27 games with 21 starts and tallied 76 points, 92 rebounds, 46 assists, 15 steals, and eight blocks. Another notable tie to South Dakota Mines goes a little further back. Many Colorado School of Mines fines won't soon forget Oredigger great Ashley Steffeck. The super nerds will remember that Ashley's sister Sami Steffeck played for the Hardrockers from 2016-20. Ashley and Sami went head-to-head with each other during the 2019-20 campaign when Ashley was a true freshman and Sami was a senior.
 
ROSTER RUNDOWN
The Orediggers' 2025-26 roster includes 11 players. Five are returners from Mines' 2024-25 squad. There are also two true freshmen and four transfers. Despite a large percentage of fresh faces, Head Coach Brittany Simpson has her top-two scorers from last season and the two players with the most steals for the Orediggers in 2024-25.
 
THE VETERANS
Mines' returners include sophomores Lindsey Jones and Jade Leon, junior Emma Sixta, and redshirt seniors Jenna Shandy (née Siebert) and Quincey Baum.  Shandy and Sixta were the Orediggers' leading scorers in 2024-25, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 points per game, respectively. The duo of Sixta and Shandy also combined for 78 steals last year. Baum, in her sixth year with the program, sat out her initial redshirt-senior campaign with an injury. Jones and Leon both provided big minutes off the bench and should see an expanded role in 2025-26.
 
MEET THE FRESHMEN
Olivia Campbell and Sophia Baal are the two true freshmen for the Orediggers. Campbell played at Fruita Monument High School just west of Grand Junction, Colo. She averaged 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game, and was First-Team All-Conference four times and Honorable Mention All-State three times. Baal, a graduate of Cherry Creek High School, also played club basketball for Hardwood Elite and competed in flag football. In fact, Baal helped represent CCHS and the state of Colorado at the NFL's 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla., as the Cherry Creek flag football squad competed in the first-ever NFL Flag High School Girls Showcase. She was named the MVP at the NFL event.
 
TRANSFER QUARTET
Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson further bolstered her roster during the offseason with the addition of four transfers, as noted above. Liv Loveland, a Castle Rock, Colo., native, came back to Colorado after playing one season at NCAA Division I Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She played in six games for the Cougars including her collegiate debut against Murray State. Madison Gage, a Legacy High School graduate, committed to the Orediggers following two seasons at Chaminade (DII) in Hawaii. Gage's time with the Swords included 155 points, 84 rebounds, 18 assists, 19 steals, and four blocks. She dropped 17 points on Evergreen State as a true freshman and decided to return to Colorado following a coaching change made by the Chaminade administration. Emily Thomas, another Colorado product, returned to her home state after two seasons at RMAC foe South Dakota Mines. Following an injury-shortened freshman season and a coaching change after, Thomas arrives in Golden touting 103 points, 127 rebounds, 25 steals, eight blocks, and 77 assists. Rounding out the quartet is Sofia Baldessari who graduated from Douglas County High School in Colorado before starting her post-prep career at College of Saint Benedict (DIII) in Minnesota. In 12 games as a true freshman, Baldessari collected 102 points, 77 rebounds, six assists, eight steals, and two blocks.
 
BOSS LADY
Head Coach Brittany Simpson is in her 14th season leading the Mines women's basketball program. During her decade-plus tenure, she has become the winningest coach in program history both in terms of total wins and win percentage at 238-147 (.618). Simpson is responsible for all three of the program's RMAC titles including regular-season championships in 2015-16, 2020-21, and 2021-22. She has also led the Orediggers in five of their six trips to the NCAA tournament. Simpson is a three-time RMAC Coach of the Year who has guided 37 All-RMAC selections including 16 first-teamers, 11 second-teamers, one third-team selection and nine honorable mention performers. She has also coached one RMAC Player of the Year, two RMAC Defensive Players of the Year, and two RMAC Freshman of the Year award winners. nine of Mines' 14 1,000-point scorers have surpassed the milestone under Simpson's watch.
 
UP NEXT
The Orediggers hit the road next week with a trip to CSU Pueblo on Thursday and a jaunt to Colorado Christian on Saturday. 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.