DENVER, Colo. – Sophia Baal had a career night Thursday, but the Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team struggled overall in an 85-65 loss at MSU Denver.

Baal posted a 21-point, 15-rebound double-double while adding two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Jenna Shandy added a second bright spot with her 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Quincey Baum and Emily Thomas rounded out the highlights with a combined seven rebounds and nine assists. Mines (15-16, 10-10 RMAC) was perfect at the free-throw line but turned the ball over 16 times and only shot 34 percent from the floor. On the other side, MSU Denver (15-13, 13-6 RMAC) converted 50 percent of its shots including 15 three-pointers on 26 attempts. The Roadrunners also stacked 14 steals to offset a modest rebounding deficit. While MSU Denver had already clinched a berth in the RMAC Tournament, Mines now awaits results from around the conference on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon to see if it will play in the postseason.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half Thursday night included all six ties and four lead changes of the game. Emma Sixta and Shandy scored six points each in the opening quarter to give Mines a 17-14 lead. Then, MSU Denver exploded for 30 points in the second quarter and carried a 44-31 lead into halftime. Baal and Shandy added six points apiece during the Roadrunners' outburst. After the break, MSU Denver cemented its lead with a 25-14 third quarter. Baal and Shandy accounted for 11 of the Orediggers' 14 points in the frame. Baal scored seven more points in the final period which saw Mines put 20 in the box score. However, it was too little too late.
 
NOTABLES
- Despite dropping to 35-57 in the all-time series against MSU Denver, the Orediggers are still 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with the Roadrunners.
- Mines played Thursday without leading scorer Sofia Baldessari.
- Baal recorded her second straight double-double with a career high in scoring and rebounding. She also surpassed 200 points for the season and for her career.
- Baum surpassed 300 points in her collegiate career.
- Shandy took over #6 on Mines' all-time scoring list.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 246-155 in her 14th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines will wait for conference results from Thursday night and Saturday afternoon to see if the Orediggers advance to the RMAC Tournament. They are currently tied with Fort Lewis for seventh as CSU Pueblo sits one game back with one game to play.
 
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.