Lady Orediggers fall in another tight contest 66-63

Only a day after their heartbreakingly close loss to Metro State, the Lady Oredigger basketball team took to the court on Saturday night trying to rebound and pull off a win against Regis, but fell in another tight contest 66-63.

Regis raced out to an early 15-2 lead less than five minutes into the contest, and it appeared as though Mines would be in for a rough evening. But key shots from Allie Grazulis, Courtney Martin, and Courtney Gallo helped the Orediggers begin to reel in the Rangers. Soon the Regis lead was cut to just four points, and after hitting five successive shots late in the half Mines had managed to grab the lead 31-25. Regis put together their own short run to end the opening half, heading into the locker room down only 32-33 to the Orediggers.

CSM came out of the break on their own streak, hitting their first three shots of the period and building their lead back up to 40-34. This six point edge would prove to be the largest lead either team would have for the remainder of the game, though, as the game remained close til the very end. After giving the lead away and retaking it numerous times, Mines found themselves down 66-63 with three seconds left in the game with one more opportunity on offense. This would wind up being the final score though, as Laura Tyree was not able to connect on a three point attempt as time expired.

Four Orediggers reached double digit scoring on the night, including starters Grazulis (14 points, seven rebounds) and Gallo (10 points, four rebounds), as well as Martin (12 points) and Tyree (10 points) off of the bench. Despite outshooting the Rangers 43% to 41% (plus a 39% to 27% edge from the three point range), the Orediggers committed more turnovers and fouls than Regis which wound up playing a key part in the loss, as the Rangers shot from the free throw line 11 more times than CSM.

Mines (7-14, 6-11 RMAC) will stay here in Golden next weekend, as they host Black Hills State on Valentine’s Day next Friday and Chadron State on the 15th next Saturday. Friday’s game tips off at 6pm, while Saturday’s contest, which is also Senior Day and the final home game of the season, begins at 5pm.