GOLDEN, Colo. – A commanding performance on the boards allowed Colorado School of Mines to blow past New Mexico Highlands, 63-44, on Tuesday, January 17 in Lockridge Arena.

In a rare midweek contest, Mines (11-10, 7-5) had a 56-36 advantage in rebounding as they held the Cowgirls to 23.8% shooting to win their second straight RMAC contest. 

After an initial slow start, Mines came to life the final 3:44 of the first quarter as they outscored the Cowgirls 13-4 en route to a 20-7 lead. 

The Orediggers eventually grew that lead to as much as 16 (23-7) before the game grew into a defensive slugfest the rest of the half. Mines' 32-19 dominance on the backboards allowed them to keep a double digit lead at intermission, 32-19. 

As the game moved into the third quarter, Mines continued to keep their advantage between nine and 12 points. That all changed when Emily Bailey converted three consecutive buckets in a 48-second span to push the lead to 18. In fact, Bailey scored eight of her game-high 17 points in the period to give Mines a comfortable 51-32 lead.

Emily Bailey then finally got the lead to 20 points when she drained a catch-and-shoot corner three-ball from Anna Kollmorgen to give Mines a 56-36 advantage with 6:39 left to go in the game. From that point forward, both teams traded baskets all the way to a 63-44 Oredigger victory. 

Notables
-    Emily Bailey continued he splendid sophomore season with a game-high 17 points on 66.7% shooting. She also pulled down seven rebounds, dished out two assists and picked two Cowgirls' pockets.
-    Cassidy Budge gave the Orediggers 11 points off the bench as she nailed three, three-pointers in the contest.
-    Elizabeth Tomon (nine points, seven rebounds) and Anna Kollmorgen (seven points, 11 rebounds) both had near double-doubles. Kollmorgen also tied her single game, career-high for rebounds.

Up Next
Mines now turns its attention to nationally 10th-ranked CSU-Pueblo when they make their way down I-25 this Saturday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.