by DURANGO, Colo. –Kayla Herrera (Chippewa) went for a game-high 18 points, but Colorado School of Mines, backed by big first and third quarters, pulled away from the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team to pick up the 60-47 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday night inside Whalen Gym.
FLC (7-8, 3-6 RMAC) fought back from a nine-point deficit after the first quarter to get to within five at the half. Colorado School of Mines (8-6, 5-4 RMAC) then used a 17-9 third quarter to hold off a run in the fourth quarter by the Skyhawks and claim the victory.
The Orediggers started the game on a 7-0 run over the first three minutes. Herrera got FLC on the board at the 6:18 mark and later Herrera drilled a three-pointer to trim the deficit to three. Colorado School of Mines then closed the first quarter on an 8-2 run for a 19-10 lead through the first 10 minutes.
A 6-0 run started the second quarter for the Skyhawks and it was all Herrera. She hit her first shot 12 seconds into the quarter and after a jumper in the paint, she closed the run with a layup at the 7:35 mark to leave the Orediggers with a 19-16 lead.
A jumper by Aubre Fortner with 3:45 to go in the half pulled FLC to within one before Colorado School of Mines closed the half on a 4-0 run for the 28-23 lead at halftime.
Alyssa Yocky hit a foul shot early in the third quarter to get to within four, but a quick 6-0 run by the Orediggers extended the lead back to double-digits. A Kelsey Wainright layup at the 3:05 mark had FLC back to within seven, just to watch the Orediggers close the quarter on a 6-0 run to push the lead to 13 at 45-32 entering the final frame.
After falling behind by 14 a minute into the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks began to make their push. Sydney Candelaria hit a jumper off an offensive rebound and after a free throw by Fortner, Yocky converted a three-point-play that left the deficit at just eight with still 7:20 to play.
Following a run by Colorado School of Mines to push the lead back to double-digits, Yocky hit another layup and Herrera added a steal and fastbreak layup to get to within seven at 54-47 with a minute to play.
The Orediggers converted six straight free throws down the stretch to take the 60-47 victory.
Herrera went 7-15 from the field, added two rebounds, an assist and two steals in 36 minutes. Yocky again was close to a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. She also came away with four steals. Yocky also eclipsed 800 career points, currently sitting at 807. FLC went 18-58 (31) from the field, 2-19 (11) from three and 9-15 (60) at the foul line.
Denali Pinto led the way for Colorado School of Mines with 16 points and seven rebounds. Raven Herrera added 14 points and Anna Kollmorgen chipped in 10. The Orediggers went 18-56 (32) from the field, 5-18 (28) from three and 19-22 (86) at the foul line. They also held a 45-33 advantage on rebounds.
FLC held the edge on points off turnovers (11-10) and on points in the paint (28-18).
