GOLDEN, Colo. --- In a matchup of undefeated teams in the RMAC, the Western Colorado women's basketball team used a big third quarter to push past Colorado School of Mines, 57-51, Friday at Lockridge Arena.
 
The Mountaineers move to 4-0 overall and in conference play, matching Western's best start in program history (the 1980-81 team also started 4-0).
 
The Mountaineers trailed the Orediggers (3-1, 2-1) 27-20 at the half after shooting just 18.8 percent from the field – including missing their final eight 3-point attempts.
 
Western trailed 35-27 with 6:11 remaining before embarking on a 19-0 run that was started by a Jessie Erickson free throw and capped by a Hannah Cooper 3-pointer at the 8:58 mark of the fourth to give the Mountaineers a 46-35 lead.
 
It would be the largest lead of the game for Western as Mines would get as close as five points, but the Mountaineers were able to hold the Orediggers off.
 
Cooper paced the Mountaineers with 20 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Samantha Coleman finished with 15 points and five rebounds while Mikaela Parkter had 11 points and six rebounds.
 
The Mountaineers forced 20 Mines turnovers, picking up 12 points off of those turnovers to help overcome being outrebounded by the Orediggers, 47-38 – leading to 14-4 advantage on second-chance points for Mines.
 
Courtney Stanton led Mines with 20 points.
 
The Mountaineers – after Regis had to postpone Saturday's contest due to COVID-19 concerns – don't play again until hosting South Dakota Mines on Jan. 5.