GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team put together a second-half rally Saturday night as it looked to topple Colorado Mesa on the road, but the Orediggers came just shy as they fell 50-45 inside Brownson Arena.
 
Anna Kollmorgen and Nicole Archambeau led the Orediggers with 12 points each. All of Kollmorgen's scoring came in the second half. Madelene McDonald led Mines on the glass with eight rebounds and also scored in double digits with 11 points. Denali Pinto registered three assists for the Orediggers while Sammy Van Sickle notched two blocks.
 
Mines (3-5, 0-3 RMAC) had a better shooting percentage from the field, three-point range and the free-throw line. However, Mesa (6-1, 3-0 RMAC) forced 16 Oredigger turnovers to secure the victory. The Mavericks' Jaylyn Duran led all scorers with 25 points, and Tori Catlett recorded seven blocks. No other Maverick scored more than five points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines struck first just 18 seconds into the game on a layup from Archambeau as the Orediggers leapt out to an early, 7-2 lead. Predictably, the home team rallied back with an 8-0 run of their own. However, late free throws and 13-5 rebound advantage in the opening period helped Mines make it a one-point game at the break trailing 15-14.
 
In the second quarter, Colorado Mesa took control of its home court as it scored the first two buckets of the period. McDonald responded with a pair of free throws to pull the Orediggers within one possession. The Mavericks then proceeded to close the quarter on a 15-0 run for a 34-16 lead at halftime.
 
A defensive battle ensued out of halftime. Neither team found the bottom of the basket for the first 2:44 of the third quarter. Mesa cracked the scoreboard with a long-range, three-point basket and Kollmorgen immediately responded with a triple of her own. The point guard's bucket sparked a 7-0, Mines' run including five from Kollmorgen. The Orediggers would close the third quarter outscoring Mesa 11-5 to make it 39-27 with 10 minutes to play.
 
Archambeau and Kollmorgen continued their takeover in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 combined points. With 1:31 remaining in the game, Archambeau knocked down a jumper to make it 45-40. Mesa drew an Oredigger foul with 31 seconds remaining but only made one of the free throws. Cassidy Budge checked back into the game and missed her first three-point basket with 22 seconds remaining. However, Budge did not give up on the play as she immediately stole the ball from a Maverick, dribbled outside the arc and drilled the shot to make it 46-43 with just over 16 seconds to play. Unfortunately, Colorado Mesa would go 4-for-4 from the free throw line to clinch the win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 14-53 in the all-time series against Colorado Mesa.
- Courtney Stanton made her 2018-19 debut Saturday with four rebounds.
- The Orediggers have not played at home in 14 days.
- Four individuals shot 50 percent from the floor for Mines against Mesa.
- McDonald's 11 points and eight rebounds mark career highs for the redshirt senior.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 98-82 in seven years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines returns home Dec. 15-16 to face Colorado Christian and Regis inside Lockridge Arena prior to the holiday break. 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.