GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball senior-freshman duo of Nicole Archambeau and Denali Pinto led the charge to the 100th win of Brittany Simpson's career as head coach as the Orediggers defeated Regis 65-60 Sunday afternoon inside Lockridge Arena.
 
Archambeau and Pinto both recorded 17 points each in Mines' second straight RMAC win. Archambeau also led the team with eight rebounds and Pinto did the same with three steals. Anna Kollmorgen gave the Orediggers a trio of double-digit scorers as she dropped 10 along with a game-high six assists. Raven Herrera's stat line was highlighted by three blocks with four assists, three points and six rebounds. Courtney Stanton was also big inside with seven rebounds, two blocks and three assists.
 
Mines improves to .500 on the season at 5-5 overall and 2-3 in RMAC action. Regis falls to 6-4 and 2-3. The Orediggers' key to victory was efficiency as they shot 44 percent from the field compared to just 31.7 percent for the Rangers. Mines' advantage in three-point baskets (10-6) and assists (18-7) also played key roles in the victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
For a second straight night, Mines opened the game with lockdown defense as it held Regis scoreless for the first seven minutes of play. Scoring contributions from Pinto, Kollmorgen, Archambeau and Stanton turned that scoreless streak into a 13-0 run for the Orediggers to start the contest. Regis finally broke the drought with 2:53 remaining in the opening period, but managed only five total points by the first quarter break.
 
The Orediggers' 15-5 advantage after 10 minutes of play carried the home team well into the fourth quarter with minimal threat to its lead. Pinto assisted the cause with 12 first-half points and Archambeau added nine of her own in the second half. Heidi Hammond also added timely scoring with nine points on a trio of three-pointers, all in the second half.
 
Regis never managed to take the lead or even tie the game after 0-0. However, the Rangers did make things interesting in the final three minutes. With 3:04 remaining in the game, Hammond hit a three-point basket to give Mines a 61-49, 12-point advantage. Over the next two minutes, RU put together an 8-0 run to pull within four points and then hit a three-point basket of their own with 38 seconds to play, making it 63-60. Mines refused to blink and used defense combined with free throws from Pinto and Herrera to seal Simpson's 100th-career victory.
 
NOTABLES
- The Orediggers are 23-52 in the all-time series against Regis.
- Mines is 4-2 in its last six meetings with the Rangers.
- Sunday's win avenges last year's season-ending loss to RU in the RMAC quarterfinals.
- Simpson is just the second women's basketball coach in Mines' history to reach 100 career wins.
- The Orediggers have held their last three opponents to 60 points, or less.
- Kollmorgen's six assists against Regis are a season high for the senior and tie her for #4 on Mines' all-time assists list.
- Hammond is 8-for-15 from three-point range in her last two games.
- Stanton has dished out six total assists in her last two appearances.
- Head coach Brittany Simpson is 100-82 in seven years at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines returns to competition in 2019 on Jan. 4-5 against Westminster and Dixie State inside Lockridge Arena. Live stats and video of the games will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.