In the second to last home game of the year, The Colorado School of Mines women’s basketball team looked to end the year on a high note against visiting Black Hills State University. The lady Orediggers (8-14, 7-11 RMAC) did just that, routing the Yellow Jackets 66-40.
For the first five minutes of the half, the game was hotly contested, but after Courtney Gallo broke the 8-8 tie with 14:15 remaining, Mines went on a 21-11 run to the end the half, and led 31-19 at halftime.
The result was never in question during the second half and Mines only increased their lead, leading by 21 points at 50-29 with just over nine minutes remaining en route to a 26 point victory. Taylor Helbig lead the team in scoring coming off the bench to put up 20 points and added four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Allie Grazulis chipped in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, adding two steals. Also in double figures off the bench, Laura Tyree added 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Tory Langas only scored one point, but the Orediggers center led the team with six assists and added a steal and eight rebounds. Katie Clements led the team with four steals, and Courtney Martin recorded the Orediggers’ only block.
Mines not only dominated BHSU in the points column, but also in every other key category. Mines out-rebounded the Yellow jackets, 42-27 and outshot BHSU in all three categories: shooting (41.4% to 34.1%), three point (36.4% to 25%), and from the charity stripe (71.4% to 42.9%). The Mines bench was a huge contributor in the victory outscoring BHSU 34-5. Mines had 18 turnovers, but forced 23 Yellow Jacket turnovers and turned them into 27 points.
With the 26 point victory, the Lady Orediggers avenged a 20-point road loss to the Yellow Jackets from early in the season.