GOLDEN, Colo. – Sofia Baldessari poured in 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at Lockridge Arena, but the Orediggers came up short in a 73-69 loss to Westminster.

Baldessari's scoring led all players in the game. Jade Leon, Emma Sixta, and Olivia Campbell all chipped in nine points apiece as well. Sixta, Quincey Baum, and Thomas handed out three assists each. Sixta and Thomas also combined for seven blocked shots. Madison Anderson and Teuila Nawahine were the top visiting players. Anderson powered out a 26-point, 14-rebound double. Nawahine had her own double-double as well with 20 points and 12 rebounds while adding six assists.
 
The contest was the second annual Green Game for Mines (12-13, 7-7 RMAC) which raised money for the Oredigger Student Emergency Fund. Mines' downfall was a 51-31 rebound deficit. Westminster (6-14, 3-11 RMAC) shot over 40 percent from the floor and held the Orediggers to 21-percent shooting from three-point range. Mines did convert 86 percent of its 22 free throws. The Orediggers also won the turnover battle by three, but it wasn't enough to offset the difference on the glass.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a slow start for Mines, but the home team quickly heated up and exploded for 22 points on 66-percent shooting in the first quarter. Baldessari accounted for eight of those 22 points. Westminster turned the tables in the second quarter and converted over 50 percent of its shots. That production erased Mines' eight-point lead and the game went to halftime tied 34-34. The third frame was a defensive grind for both teams and featured just 28 total points. Baldessari struck again, scoring six of the home team's 15 points in the quarter. The Orediggers carried a two-point lead into fourth quarter. However, the Griffins' offense caught fired and went for 26 points thanks to nearly 53-percent shooting from the floor. Ten more points for Baldessari and a late three-pointer by Shandy kept the game close, but were not enough to get Mines the lead.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines remains ahead of Westminster in the all-time series, 11-7.
- Baldessari touts four double-doubles in her first season as an Oredigger. Her 28 points Saturday put her over 400 points in 2025-26. She also made a career-high 11 free throws.
- Baldessari is now averaging over 20 points per game this year and has over 500 career points in less than two collegiate seasons.
- Shandy's late three-pointer during Saturday's game put her alone at #5 on Mines' all-time list for made three-pointers. She now has 183 makes from behind the arc.
- Three blocks for Sixta and four for Thomas were both career highs.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 244-152 in her 14th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines travels to Black Hills State next Thursday and Chadron Sate 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.