DENVER, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines senior Ashley Steffeck scored 32 points on Friday night in the 2023 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament semifinals as the #21-ranked and second-seeded Oredigger women's basketball team punched its ticket to the championship game thanks to a 74-66 win against sixth-seeded MSU Denver.
 
Steffeck's 32 points led all players and came on 8-of-17 shooting from the floor. She also went 13-for-15 at the free-throw line as she went head-to-head with the league's leading scorer in Kendra Parra. Steffeck bolstered her game resume with five assists, four steals, and four rebounds. Sammy Van Sickle proved equally impressive, dropping 17 points on 61-percent shooting to surpass 1,000 points for her career. The graduate student produced nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal as well. Additionally, Megan Van de Graaf scored eight points, and Jessica Rios shot 40-percent from behind the arc.
 
With the win, Mines (24-5) advances to its fourth-ever RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game. The Orediggers earned the victory by shooting 44 percent from the floor and 85 percent at the free-throw lines with a 35-25 advantage on the glass. MSU Denver (16-14) shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 34 points in the paint. However, Mines offset the discrepancies with 17 made free throws and 10 points on second chances. The loss brings the Roadrunners' season to a close. The Orediggers will face top-seeded Regis in Saturday's final.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Friday's second semifinal in the 2023 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament featured just two ties and zero lead changes, but it was far from a blowout. That being said, Mines attempted to run away from MSU Denver in the first quarter of the game, scoring 25 points on 69-percent shooting and taking a 25-15 lead with 1:29 to play in the period. It would be the Orediggers' biggest lead of the game. A Roadrunner jumper in the final seconds made the score 25-18 at the first break.
 
MSU Denver used a 9-1 run in the second quarter to claw its way back into the game. However, Steffeck provided Mines' advantage armor like a stegosaurus as she dropped two three-pointers and three free-throws for nine, second-quarter points. By halftime, the Orediggers still held the lead at 39-33. The Roadrunners would hang around for all of the second half, never letting Mines' lead go over eight points. However, Steffeck and Van Sickle poured in 15 points apiece in the final 20 minutes which kept MSU Denver at arm's length. Steffeck's effort also included drawing six fouls in the last two quarters, leading to 10 free-throw opportunities. She also had a big steal late along with both of Van Sickle's blocks to clinch the win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines posted a perfect 3-0 record against MSU Denver during the 2022-23 season.
- The Orediggers are 31-55 in the all-time series against the Roadrunners, but have won seven of the last 10 installments in the rivalry.
- MSU Denver won the 2021-22 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament.
- Steffeck's 32 points marked a career high and tied her for #6 on the program's all-time, single-game scoring list. Only four other Orediggers have scored more points in on game than Steffeck.
- Friday's win made Mines' all-time RMAC Tournament record 11-20.
- Sammy Van Sickle became the 13th Oredigger to join the 1,000-point club. She and Steffeck both tout more than 1,000 points in their respective careers.
- The last time Mines had two 1,000-point scorers on the same team was last season with Courtney Stanton and Denali Pinto.
- Steffeck's 32-point outburst also put her over 400 points for the season.
- Van Sickle is two rebounds shy of breaking the program's all-time rebounds record.
- Furthermore, Van Sickle's three assists pushed her past Liz Holter to #5 on the program's single-season list.
- Steffeck also went over 100 made free-throws for the season.
- Mines' 85-percent mark at the free-throw line was its second-best performance of the season at the charity stripe.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 198-112 in her 11th season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines faces top-seeded Regis on the Rangers' home court in Denver, Colo., on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the 2023 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online, in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or card. Live stats and video will also be linked at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.­­­