How It Happened

Even behind a dominant defensive effort, all streaks eventually come to an end as a cold shooting night undid #21 Colorado School of Mines (13-3, 11-1) in a 59-50 defeat to CSU-Pueblo (15-3, 10-2) in a battle of the RMAC Mountain Division leaders.

Riding a 13-game win streak, Mines was unable to find the bottom of the basket most of the night as they shot 24.7% for the game even though they had a 15-2 advantage in points off turnovers and a 17-5 advantage in bench points.

It took a few minutes to get the offense going to start the game, but once it did the Orediggers were off to the races. In three consecutive possessions, junior Laura Tyree, freshman Cassidy Budge and freshman Anna Kollmorgen hit three-pointers to push the Mines lead to 12-2 midway through the opening quarter.

The long daggers and seven offensive rebounds helped CSM take a 13-5 lead into the second quarter. The offensive rebounds in the first quarter masked some tough-luck shooting for the Orediggers as Pueblo got the lead down to 19-15 at the final media timeout. Luckily, Mines' defense was stellar as usual as they were able to sustain the lead. Budge hit her third three-ball of the half at the buzzer to give Mines a 27-20 lead at the break.

The Orediggers eventually stretched its lead out to 10 (33-23) at the 6:58 mark in the third quarter on senior Courtney Martin's second bucket of the quarter. A little more than a minute later though the Thunderwolves had the advantage down to four (33-29), and CSU-Pueblo ended the half on a 13-2 run to take a 36-35 lead – its first since the opening bucket.

Both teams shooting woes continued into the fourth period with neither able to capitalize on the other's poor shooting. With the Thunderwolves leading 40-37, Courtney Martin hit a layup at the 6:23 mark and only moments later Budge buried a corner three to tie the game at 44.

Unfortunately, Pueblo responded with a 14-4 final run sparked by a three-pointer from Tuileisu Anderson to pull away and give Mines a 59-50 defeat.

Notables

-          CSM's program-record 13-game winning streak that dated back to November 27 came to an end tonight.

-          Even with the loss Mines still has a one-game lead over CSU-Pueblo and Black Hills State for the top spot in the RMAC standings.

-          While the 24.7% shooting on the night definitely doomed Mines, but so did Pueblo's 21-to-5 advantage at the free throw line.

-          Neither team was able to put the ball in the bucket particularly well in the first half (CSM: 23.8%, CSUP: 28.6%), but Mines had eight steals and an 11-2 advantage in points off turnovers to make up for it.

-          With Budge's steal in at the 8:03 mark in the third quarter, Mines set a new season-high for steals in a game with their ninth. CSM ended up with 13 on the night with seven coming from Laura Tyree – a new career high.

-          Cassidy Budge led Mines with 13 points on a new career-high four three pointers.

Up Next

Mines will try to start a new winning streak tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. when they host Western State in Lockridge Arena.