PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball slayed multiple scoring records on Saturday night in the Orediggers' 100-65 victory over CSU-Pueblo inside Massari Arena.  
 
The Orediggers hit triple digits for the first time in program history thanks to Denali Pinto who led all players with 24 points. Additionally, Pinto's scoring outburst gave her Mines' single-season scoring record with 486 on the year. The sophomore added seven rebounds and three assists to her resume as well. Ashley Steffeck contributed a career night on 19 points and nine rebounds. She stuffed the stat sheet further thanks to six assists, three steals and one block. Courtney Stanton popped off for 18 points and eight rebounds. The duo of Liz Holter and Sammy Van Sickle combined for 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
 
Mines (18-6, 15-4 RMAC) proved red-hot on offense, touting an overall shooting percentage of 53 for the game including 50 percent from three-point range. The Orediggers' efficiency from outside resulted in 14 three-point baskets compared to eight for CSU-Pueblo (6-18, 5-14 RMAC). Furthermore, the visitors only committed eight turnovers while forcing 14 by the ThunderWolves. With the win, Mines extended its winning streak to 10 games and clinched a berth in the 2020 RMAC Tournament. CSU-Pueblo's loss mathematically eliminated "The Pack" from postseason competition. Additionally, the Orediggers remained tied for #2 in the RMAC standings. Thanks to Regis' win over Colorado Mesa, Mines is just two games out of first place.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Another sunny day along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains brought residents and tourists outside in droves. However by 5:30 p.m., over 1,000 fans had flocked to Massari Arena. Those rooting for the visitors from Mines had plenty of reason to cheer early, and often. The Orediggers jumped out to a 6-0 lead and did not look back as Mines never trailed and was never tied with "The Pack". Just ten minutes of action had the Orediggers flaunting a 32-12 advantage and by halftime Pinto and Steffeck had combined for 30 points and 56-27 Mines lead.
 
Pinto's record-setting basket came with 5:24 to play in the fourth quarter. It was a layup that gave the Orediggers an 87-53 cushion. The points proved to be her last of the game as she subbed out 24 seconds later. Mines found its largest lead of the game at the 2:26 mark in the fourth quarter. Heaven McKinley drained a pair of free throws to make the score 98-59, giving the Orediggers a 39-point advantage. Mines' single-game mark fell with 1:18 remaining in the game. Shelby Nichols hit a jump shot off an assist from Ali Kramer and gave the Orediggers 100 points in a game for the first time ever. The bucket also provided Mines a 100-63 advantage which proved far too much for CSU-Pueblo to overcome.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"I am so very proud of this team and how well they played tonight," said Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson. "So very proud of them."
 
NOTABLES
- Mines has won five straight games against CSU-Pueblo, sitting 24-36 in the all-time series.
- The Orediggers have not lost to "The Pack" since Jan. 20, 2018. It marks their longest winning streak in program history against the ThunderWolves.
- Additionally, Mines' 35-point win on Saturday night is its largest margin of victory over CSU-Pueblo over the course of the all-time series.
- The Orediggers shooting performance against CSU-Pueblo is their best since shooting 57 percent on Jan. 27, 2018 at Adams State.
- Pinto boasts 486 points on the season and 870 in her career as a sophomore. The previous single-season record was 485 set by Emily Bailey in the 2016-17 season.
- Mines' former single-game scoring record was 98 accomplished on Nov. 15, 2005 against Johnson & Wales.
- The Orediggers are the first team to score 100 points against CSU-Pueblo since Nov. 29, 2002.
- Steffeck's 19 points mark a career high for the true freshman. Her six assists match a career best set on Feb. 1 against New Mexico Highlands.
- Mines has surpassed 80 points in game on five different occasions in the 2019-20 campaign.
- The last time Mines won 10 straight games was the 2015-16 season. It came as part of a 13-game run that led to a RMAC title.
- Mines' record for consecutive wins is 13.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 130-94 in eight years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines returns home for a pair of games this Friday and Saturday against Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines. Live stats and video of the game will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can follow Mines Women's Basketball on social media at @MinesWBB. Fans can also follow all of Mines Athletics at www.minesathletics.com or on social media at @MinesAthletics.