GOLDEN – Colorado School of Mines women's basketball blistered the nets to a season-high 84 points and staved off a second half comeback to wrangle Western New Mexico 84-78 in the conference-opener Friday in Golden.

Four players reached double digits for the second time in three games, led by senior Courtney Gallo with a game- and collegiate-best 22 points.

Gallo went 7-of-12 and had a career-high five three-pointers on eight looks with a season-best seven rebounds and three assists.

As a squad, Mines (2-3, 1-0 RMAC) shot season-bests of 50.8 percent (31-of-61) overall, 50.0 percent (12-of-24) from three and 83.3 percent (10-of-12) at the free throw line.

The Orediggers appeared in line to run away with the win, extending a 39-32 halftime lead to 18 on three occasions, the last at 72-54 with 5:23 to play.

WNMU (3-3, 0-1 RMAC) got as close as 79-76 with 46 seconds remaining as Jordan Gutierrez capped a 22-7 run with two free throws, but Mines countered with 5-of-6 shooting at the line by Gallo and junior Sam Rusk in the closing half minute to secure its third RMAC-opening win in a row.

Ashley Mitchell led the Mustangs with 17 points; RaTanya Newsome totaled 16 and Nalani Hernandez 14. WNMU ended the evening 30-of-75 (.400) overall and 7-of-26 (.269) from behind the arc with a 38-24 margin inside and plus-14 advantage in points off turnovers.

Mines overcame 15 of its 23 total turnovers and 19 ensuing Mustang points off the giveaways in the second half with 45 points on 16-of-28 (.571) shooting. Gallo and freshman Laura Tyree each connected on 5-of-7 field goals, combining for 31 of the points and all five of the team's three-pointers.

Tyree finished with season-highs of 18 points and six assists, Rusk had a career-best 15 points and senior Tory Langas added 14 on a 7-of-9 effort.

The 12 three-point field goals were the most in the previous 12 seasons.

The women conclude their four-game homestand at 5 p.m. Saturday against New Mexico Highlands at Lockridge Arena.