GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team dropped its 2019-20 RMAC opener by a score of 66-48 in a defensive battle with Western Colorado on Friday inside Lockridge Arena.
 
Three different Orediggers scored in double digits. Sammy Van Sickle finished with 13 points, as did Courtney Stanton. Loralee Stock added 10. Van Sickle also racked up three blocks and grabbed six rebounds. Megan Van de Graaf and Denali Pinto recorded six rebounds each as well. Liz Holter's three assists were tops on the team and matched the game high.
 
Mines (3-3, 0-1 RMAC) finished the game shooting 23 percent from the floor including 28 percent from three-point range. The Orediggers did convert 72 percent of their free-throw opportunities. On the other side, Western Colorado (3-2, 1-0 RMAC) turned in an overall shooting percentage of 45 percent and made four 3-pointers. The loss also halts Mines' three-game winning streak.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
While the visitors from the Western Slope outscored the home team in every quarter, Mines showed flashes of quality offensive play. That included a three-pointer from Ashley Steffeck at the end of the first quarter to cut the Mountaineer lead to 12-8. Additionally, the Orediggers put together an 8-0 run in the second period, which fueled 14 points in the frame and a 27-22 deficit at halftime.
 
However, WCU held Mines to 13 points in the third quarter and only 13 more in the final period. The Mountaineers capped their performance with 23 points in the final 10 minutes. The Orediggers did finish the game with 14 points in the paint, 11 points off the bench and 10 points off turnovers. Mines did enjoy the lead for nearly five minutes in the opening period.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"I'm really disappointed in our effort on the offensive end and our execution in putting the ball in the basket," said Orediggers' Head Coach Brittany Simpson. "I thought we were okay defensively for most of the game."
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 25-38 in the all-time series against Western Colorado. However, Friday's loss is only Mines' second to WCU in their last seven meetings.
- Loralee Stock's 10 points mark a career high for the true freshman.
- Van Sickle's three blocks are also a career best for the sophomore from Arvada, Colo.
- The Orediggers finished Friday's game with eight blocks as a team. That's the most for Mines in a single game this season.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 116-91 in eight years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines continues home RMAC play Saturday night at 5 p.m. against Colorado Mesa inside Lockridge Arena. 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.