Mines defeats Nebraska-Kearney, 74-71

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines women’s basketball team posted a 74-71 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday evening in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) action at Lockridge Arena.

The two teams traded baskets for much of the first half as Mines led by as many as seven points. UNK kept the game close and held a lead of four points with 6:42 remaining in the first half. CSM finished t he half on a 14-6 run and took a four-point lead into the break.

The Orediggers led by four points with 10:56 on the clock in the second half. CSM pushed its lead to 14 points with a 10-0 run capped off by a three-point play from Emily Dalton with 7:34 remaining in the game. Nebraska-Kearney answered outscoring Mines 20-11 in the next 6:27 and cut the deficit to five points with 1:07 on the clock.

A three-point play by Bailey Halbur helped UNK close the gap to two points with just under a minute remaining. Brecca Gaffney made one of two free throws with 28 seconds left and Mines fouled immediately. Tessa Kreutzer had an opportunity to cut the Orediggers lead to just one point but missed her second free throw attempt. Once again, Mines made one of two free throws and UNK’s Debi Johnson was not able to convert her second free throw. Dalton gave Mines a three-point lead knocking down one of two free throws with six seconds remaining and Vanessa Leeper’s final shot attempt was blocked by Stephanie Fogle.

Four players finished the game in double figures for UNK (3-12, 3-6 RMAC). Leeper led the Lopers with 13 points and seven rebounds. Kim Thissen recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kreutzer contributed 12 points while Lea Ann Jameson finished with 11 points and Kelsey Lane chipped in with 10 points.

Mines finished with a season-high 14 blocked shots and shot 47.3 % from the field. Angie Charchalis and Emily Dalton combined for 43 points. Dalton led all scorers with a season-high 22 points (8-for-11 FG), seven rebounds and two steals. Charchalis scored 20-plus points for the second time this season as she finished with 21 points. Charchalis made five three pointers, grabbed five boards and dished out four assists. Gaffney contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Katie Carty added eight points, tied her career-high with seven blocked shots and pulled down six rebounds.

The Orediggers (11-5 overall, 6-3 RMAC) will play a non-conference game at Johnson & Wales (CO) at 6:00 pm on Monday, Jan. 25th. CSM plays at Metro State on Friday, Jan. 29th at 5:00 pm and at Regis University on Saturday, Jan. 30th at 7:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --