Mines holds off late rally by Northern State for a 55-52 victory on the final day of the Super 8 Tip-off Classic

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Colorado School of Mines women’s basketball team posted its first win of the 2009-10 season defeating Northern State, 55-52, on Monday evening at Wachs Arena on the final day of the Super 8 Tip-off Classic.

After two early baskets by Northern State, Stephanie Fogle drained a jumper and Brecca Gaffney nailed a three pointer to give Mines a 5-4 lead at the 15:48 mark in the first half. CSM held that lead for the rest of the half as it increased to as many as 10 points.

Up by 10 points with 5:28 remaining, the Wolves cut the CSM lead to two points as Emily Becken connected on a pair of three pointers and Lennea Mueller drilled a jumper with 1:02 remaining in the game. Fogle converted a pair of free throws with 57 seconds and 26 seconds on the clock to give Mines a four-point lead.

Becken answered knocking down her fifth three-point basket of the game with 22 seconds on the clock and Mines’ lead became just one point. Following a Northern State timeout, CSM turned the ball over but Becken missed the jumper and Brecca Gaffney was able to collect the rebound. Gaffney made both her free throws with 10 seconds remaining which gave CSM a three-point lead and Jenna Reinschmidt’s three-point attempt missed as time expired to give the Orediggers the win.

CSM was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 57 seconds and finished the game shooting 88.2 % from the charity stripe (15-of-17).

Fogle scored a career-high 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists in the win. Gaffney added 13 points and nine rebounds. Emily Dalton finished with nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kait Soehner chipped in with eight points.

The Orediggers (1-1 overall) will host Hawai‘i Pacific at Lockridge Arena on Saturday, Nov. 21st at 2:00 pm.

For more information about Colorado School of Mines Athletics, please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Katie Simons at ksimons@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --