LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Oredigger trio of Josephine Howery, Jessica Rios, and Suni Davis guided the #5/8-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team to its 12th straight win on Saturday as they each scored in double digits in Mines' 68-47 win at New Mexico Highlands.
 
Rios and Howery tallied 11 points apiece while Davis notched 10. Howery bolstered her resume with seven rebounds, two steals, two assists and one block. Rios turned in three steals, three assists, and three rebounds. Davis had three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Shelby Nichols was also notable thanks to seven rebounds, eight points and two assists. In a night full of contributions up and down the roster, Ashley Steffeck did her thing with nine points, six rebounds, three steals, and three assists.
 
The Orediggers (14-1, 9-0 RMAC) had all of their active players see time. New Mexico Highlands (4-11, 3-7 RMAC) also had 12 players register minutes. Mines' defense forced 15 NMHU turnovers and held the Cowgirls to 27-percent shooting from three-point range and a 28-percent mark from the floor. The visitors also earned a 47-27 win on the glass including a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Both teams went to the free-throw line 14 times.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
While Golden, Colo., turned in a temperature right around zero degrees, Las Vegas, N.M., checked in well over freezing. The extra warmth did not provide any extra boost to the home team. Mines never trailed and the score was only tied once. Davis led the scoring in the first quarter with six points. The Orediggers pushed their lead all the way to 15 and carried a 24-9 advantage into the second period. That frame saw Mines' lead go all the way to 25. Nichols tallied five points and Saya Sabus pulled down three rebounds. By halftime, the visitors owned a 40-17 advantage. New Mexico Highlands scored just nine points in the first quarter, and eight in the second quarter.
 
In the third quarter, the Cowgirls were held to six points by the Orediggers. On offense, Mines had Nichols, Rios, Howery, Audrey Beaty, Emma Sixta, and Davis all put their name in the scoring column. Going into the final frame, the ladies from Colorado touted a 56-23 advantage. While New Mexico Highlands did explode for 24 points in the fourth quarter, it was too little too late. Nichols, Loralee Stock, Rios, Howery, and Beaty all scored again to close out the win. Howery's four rebounds in the final period also proved helpful.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines now leads the all-time series against New Mexico Highlands, 35-34, thanks to 14 straight wins against the Cowgirls.
- The Orediggers haven't lost to NMHU since December 6, 2014.
- Mines' last 14 wins against New Mexico Highlands have come by double digits with an average scoring margin well over 20 points in each win.
- Other results from around the conference keep the Orediggers #1 in the RMAC standings by two games.
- Audrey Beaty's block on Saturday put her at exactly 50 blocks in the second year of her collegiate career.
- Josephine Howery surpassed 600 points for her career.
- True freshman Emma Sixta moved over 100 career points thanks to seven against the Cowgirls.
- Davis' 10 points matched her single-game, career high. She also had 10 points against Fort Lewis last season. She also matched her career best in assists and three-pointers.
- Isa Hensley recorded the first assist of her collegiate career on Saturday.
- Michaela Lee pulled down three rebounds against NMHU for a new career high, as did Saya Sabus.
- The Orediggers have played six of their last seven games on the road.
- Head Coach Brittany Simpson is 212-115 in her 12th season leading Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Regis on Friday, Jan. 19, and UCCS on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Live stats and free video on the RMAC Network will also be linked at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.­­­