DENVER, Colo. – A big day on the glass and stout defense helped the Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team grind out a 60-49 victory at Regis on Saturday afternoon inside Regis Field House.
 
The Orediggers (7-11, 5-5 RMAC) used a 41-34 rebounding advantage to turn the tide in an otherwise close game against the Rangers (7-10, 5-5 RMAC). That margin on the glass helped Mines find 11 second-chance points despite shooting just 36 percent from the floor. Another key in the win for the visitors were 15 assists compared to eight dimes from Regis. The Orediggers put the proverbial icing on the proverbial cake by converting 19 RU turnovers into 20 points as well. Elsewhere, the Rangers only managed a 31-percent clip from the floor and both teams were under 30 percent from long range. Regis did block three shots and only missed two free throws, but it wasn't enough to stop Mines.
 
Individually, another big game from Jenna Siebert was key in closing out the win. No player had more points or assists than Sieberts 27 and five. She also pulled down seven rebounds and notched one steal. Peyton Freiermuth provided a game-high eight rebounds while handing out four assists with seven points and one steal. Jade Leon rounded out the highlights by tallying six rebounds and three assists compared to one turnover. Emma Sixta and Audrey Beaty scored eight points apiece to finish second on the team in scoring.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines struck first on a second-chance three-pointer off the hand of Siebert. Despite the promising start, Regis eventually held the Orediggers scoreless for five minutes in the opening period while building an 8-0 run. The surge afforded the home team a 13-5 lead, but the visitors clawed back with a 7-0 run to close the quarter. Siebert accounted for seven of Mines' 12 points in the first period and Freiermuth pulled down three rebounds in less than six minutes on the court. A strong start for the Rangers in the second quarter had Mines facing an 18-12 deficit. However, the Oredigger defense flexed and kept RU from scoring for nearly five minutes of action. The Mines induced drought allowed the visitors to go on a 10-0 run and take a 22-18 lead before Regis found the bottom of the net again. By halftime, the Orediggers owned a 26-20 lead and Siebert hadn't scored a single point in the second period.
 
After the break, Mines pushed its lead out to 30-20. Overall, the surge by the visitors came out to an 18-2 run. But Regis wouldn't go quietly into the snowy, Denver afternoon. The Rangers exploded for 18 points in the third quarter and eventually tied the game at 38-38 with four seconds to play in the frame. Everything was even with one period left to play. However, whatever hope RU had found in its first-quarter rally quickly dissipated when Josephine Howery and Siebert started the fourth with back-to-back three-pointers off two Regis turnovers. The burst only took 55 seconds, but it proved too much for the Rangers to overcome. Over the last nine minutes of action, the closest the home team got to Mines was five points. Siebert quickly shut that door by hitting another shot from distance to make the score 55-47 with 1:40 to play. One missed shot and a pair of turnovers for RU down the stretched clinched the Oredigger win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines closed the margin in the rivalry with Regis to 56-30.
- The Orediggers' win on Saturday snapped a three-game skid against the Rangers dating back almost three years.
- Saturday's victory also marked the first time this season that Mines has won back-to-back games.
- There were five ties and four lead changes in the contest between the Orediggers and Rangers.
- Mines' largest lead of the afternoon was 13 with 31 seconds to play in the game, and its biggest scoring run was 10-0 in the second quarter.
- Regis led by as many as eight points in the first quarter and put together a game-best 11-0 burst in the third quarter.
- Freiermuth matched her collegiate best on the glass after grabbing eight boards against Minnesota State and Westminster earlier this season.
- Leon's three assists were also a career high for the true freshman.
- Since the turn of the calendar, Siebert is averaging 23 points per game which includes two 31-point outbursts and one night of six points. Her last three games include 20 points, 31 points, and 27 points.
- Oredigger Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 226-134 in her 13th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Fort Lewis next Thursday and Adams State next Saturday. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be offered for both games at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter), Facebook, 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.