GOLDEN, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Jan. 19, 2013) - CSU-Pueblo successfully held off Colorado School of Mines Saturday, remarkably only trailing for a grand total of 49 seconds in a tightly-contested game, claiming a 76-71 victory.

With the win, CSU-Pueblo keeps pace with conference leaders Colorado Mesa and Metro State to remain in a tie for third place in the RMAC standings.

CSU-Pueblo was nearly travelling down the road it had the night before, when it lost a large first half lead and later lost the game to Colorado Christian.  The Pack led by as much as 10 in the first half and looked primed to cruise throughout.  But the ThunderWolves let Mines back into the game as the Orediggers scored 17 of the half's final 27 points to cut the Pack lead to 37-33 going into the break.

In the second half, after beginning the half by hitting five of its first six field goal attempts, Colorado School of Mines took its first lead five minutes into the half.  Trailing 46-45, CSU-Pueblo re-took the lead after a Katie Nehf (So., Broomfield, Colo.) layup, setting off a 15-6 run that boosted the ThunderWolves back into the lead for good.

Mines wasn't done threatening the Pack, however, as it would get back to within four, 67-63, with 2:40 remaining as it looked primed to challenge for a memorable finish.  

But the ThunderWolves responded with textbook killer instinct, making its free throw attempts down the stretch (CSU-Pueblo was 7-for-9 at the charity stripe in the final 2:30 of the game) and showing solid defense (Mines was just 3-for-9 shooting in the final two minutes).  As a result, the Orediggers never had a credible chance to poach the win late as CSU-Pueblo secured its 11th win of the season.

CSU-Pueblo was led by a 17-point effort from Laurel Kearsley (Sr., Victor, Idaho), and a great effort from Nehf, who tied a career high with 16 points, adding three blocks and three steals to the cause.

The ThunderWolves will remain on the road next week, traveling north to take on Chadron State and Black Hills State.