Colorado Mines 70, CSU-Pueblo 61
GOLDEN, Colo. - A battle of two teams unbeaten in RMAC play
broke for Colorado School of Mines Friday as the Orediggers netted
a 70-61 win over the Pack.
The ThunderWolves shot just 28.8 percent from the field, a
number indicative of Colorado Mines' defense, which is ranked
second in the nation in lowest field goal percentage against with
30.0 percent per game, as the Pack simply couldn't keep up with
Mines' bigs and penetrate into the paint. The Pack never led
as Mines controlled from the outset.
Rachel Espinoza
(Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) was all but shut down, going 4-for-17
from the field and netting just 10 points, many of her bad attempts
coming while trying to drive it in the lane or shoot jumpers.
The Pack wasn't helped from its perimeter play, only going 4-for-15
from three, which undid the Pack's most impressive and surprising
stat of the night - rebound margin.
Mines, which entered ranked in the top ten nationally in rebound
margin, thanks to two big posts taking up the paint, figured to
have a huge game on the glass facing the Pack, the worst rebounding
team in the RMAC. But CSU-Pueblo out-boarded Mines 45-37, but
it wasn't enough to dent the Orediggers' other strengths.
Another bright spot was the bench play of Jennelle Branting
(So., Littleton, Colo.), who scored 14 to lead the Pack.
CSU-Pueblo will continue its road trip tomorrow night when it
faces Colorado Christian in Lakewood.
