GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team dominated Colorado Christian inside Lockridge Arena Saturday night, fueled by Raven Herrera's 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Orediggers won their first RMAC contest of the season, 71-36.
 
Herrera's performance marks her fourth double-double of the season and a career high in scoring. The redshirt sophomore also grabbed three steals and recorded one block. Heidi Hammond scored 15 off the bench on five three-point baskets. Nicole Archambeau led all players with 12 rebounds as she owned the glass. Archambeau and Denali Pinto also added five assists each.  
 
Mines (4-5, 1-3 RMAC) scored 40 of its 71 points in the paint and 24 on second-chance opportunities. Overall, the Orediggers out-rebounded Colorado Christian (5-5, 3-1 RMAC) by a margin of 66-32 as the Cougars suffered their first conference loss of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Saturday marked Mines' first home game in nearly a month, and the Orediggers took advantage of the home cooking as they opened the contest with nine unanswered points. Herrera kick-started the run with a jumper just 14 seconds into the game and a three-point basket from Archambeau capped the incredible start more than three minutes later.
 
The Orediggers would not look back as they never tied or trailed Colorado Christian after 0-0. Mines increased its lead to as many as 36 with 38 seconds remaining in the game. Herrera scored 18 of her 25 in the first half and led the Orediggers with seven in the second half. When it was all said and done, Mines played 14 individuals and combined to shoot nearly 40 percent from the floor while limiting CCU to just one point in the final six minutes of the game.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 34-23 in the all-time series against Colorado Christian.
- The Orediggers have now won three straight against the Cougars.
- Saturday marks the first 20-point game of Herrera's career.
- Mines' 71 points are its most since scoring 82 against Texas-Permian Basin on Nov. 24.
- Pinto's five assists are a career high for the freshman.
- Hammond's 15 points and five three-point baskets are both personal records.
- Mines' +34 rebound is its second-highest in program history after +35 last season at NMHU.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 99-82 in seven years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes out 2018 by hosting Regis Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena Live stats and video of the games will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.