How It Happened
Fourth quarter dominance propelled the Colorado School of Mines (17-5, 15-3) past New Mexico Highlands (3-20, 1-17) by the final of 78-60 on Friday, February 12 in Lockridge Arena.

Behind 20-point nights from both senior Courtney Martin and freshman Cassidy Budge, Mines dominated the Cowgirls 42-22 in paint points in the blowout victory.

The Orediggers actually got off to a bit of slow start as Highlands led 15-12 after the first quarter of action.

Mines wouldn't let the deficit last for long though as Courtney Martin spurred a quick 5-0 run to start the second period to put them up 17-15. CSM then trailed 22-19 with under four minutes to go until the half before closing out the period on a 13-6 run to take a 32-28 lead into intermission.

The Orediggers and Cowgirls then played each other to a high scoring 21-21 draw in the third quarter as Mines clung to a 53-49 lead. It was then that CSM took over with a dominating 25-11 final period to win comfortably, 78-60.

That pivotal fourth quarter saw Mines open on an 8-2 run with baskets from Martin, Cassidy Budge and Elizabeth Tomon to get out to a 10-point (61-51) lead with 6:23 to go. Then only up 12 with 2:42 remaining, Tomon buried her one and only long range attempt to put Mines up 15 which essentially ended the game.

Notables
- With a 67-53 victory back on January 2, CSM sweeps the season series with Highlands.
- This is the first time since a 75-66 victory over Adams State back on January 8 that Mines has cracked the 70-point plateau.
- Not only did Mines crush Highlands in the paint, but they outscored the Cowgirls 15-2 in second chance points on 14 offensive rebounds.
- CSM shot nearly 45% from the field while they held Highlands to 30.3%.
- Mines also dominated on the boards to the tune of 54-32.
- Courtney Martin led the charge in victory with a 21-point and 15-rebound outing for her fourth double-double of the season. Martin's 15 rebounds ties a career-high. She also swatted three Cowgirls' shots.
- The 20 points by Cassidy Budge is a new career high as she finished 8-12 with three made three-pointers. Budge also pulled down seven rebounds
- Also reaching double figure scoring was freshman Anna Kollmorgen who chipped in 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kollmorgen shot 60% from the field on 6-10 shooting.
- Junior Laura Tyree also had her typical all-around game with nine points, six rebounds and a game-high six assists.

Up Next
Mines will look to sweep the season series against Western New Mexico tomorrow night at 5 p.m.