SEATTLE – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team earned its second straight double-digit win of the season Saturday afternoon in a 69-57 victory over Concordia-Portland inside Royal Brougham Pavilion on the campus of Seattle Pacific.
 
Denali Pinto went off for 28 points while grabbing five rebounds with one assist and one block. Sammy Van Sickle proved a force on the glass as she pulled down 15 rebounds. Both Pinto's scoring and Van Sickle's boards led all players in the game. Heidi Hammond also added nine points thanks to three long-range baskets. Center Courtney Stanton was tops in the game with four assists as well.
 
In the victory, Mines (2-2) shot 41 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. Concordia-Portland out-scored the Orediggers in the paint and off turnovers. However, the Cavaliers only converted 55 percent of their free-throw opportunities. Mines also benefited from 15 points off the bench and seven second-chance points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Outside of a three-point lead for Concordia in the opening quarter, Saturday's game was all Orediggers. Pinto eliminated the Cavalier's lead by herself with 12 points in the first frame. Liz Holter notched a three-pointer as well, giving Mines a 15-11 advantage after 10 minutes. The Orediggers would not let up for the next 30 minutes either.
 
Mines flexed its defense in the second quarter and held CU-Portland to just six points. However, it was the third quarter where the Orediggers turned on the gas. Mines dropped 17 more points and pushed its lead all the way to 15 – its largest lead of the night. Then, 23 points in the final frame closed out the victory in dominant fashion.

COACH'S COMMENT
"Our girls played well on the defensive end and stuck to the game plan on the offensive end, which I was really proud of. Overall, they executed well today."

NOTABLES
- Mines is now 1-0 in the all-time series against Concordia-Portland.
- Pinto now has three 20-point performances through four games in 2019-20.
- Van Sickle's 15 rebounds mark a career high for the sophomore.
- Mines' three-point percentage on Saturday afternoon was its best single-game performance so far this season.
- The Orediggers' 69 points were also the most in a single game through four in 2019-20.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 115-90 in eight years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines returns to Golden for its 2019-20 home opener in a non-conference showdown against Regis on Saturday. Live stats and video 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. Fans can also follow Mines Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesWBB.