GUNNISON, Colo. --- Turnovers problems in third quarter and shooting woes in the fourth led to No. 7 Western Colorado having its five-game winning streak snapped by Colorado School of Mines 63-59 on Saturday at Paul Wright Gym.
The Mountaineers (11-2 overall, 10-2 RMAC) committed 10 of their season-high 20 turnovers in the third quarter to fall behind by three heading into the fourth before going 1-for-14 from the field in the final period (not making a field goal in the final 5:55 of the game).
Despite those struggles, the Mountaineers' defense kept them in it and Western led the Orediggers (13-2, 12-2) 59-56 after a pair
Courtney Humbarger free throws with 3:44 remaining. The lead was 59-58 heading into the final minute before a set play got the Orediggers' Denali Pinto an open look from 3-point range that she drained to give Mines a 61-59 lead with 44 seconds remaining.
The Mountaineers couldn't answer in the final minutes as a pair of free throws sealed it for Mines as it now owns an eight-game win streak.
Emmery Wagstaff led the Mountaineers with 16 points to go along with eight rebounds.
Samantha Coleman had 154 points and five rebounds while
Hannah Cooper had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Mikaela Parker had seven points, four rebounds, three blocks and three steals before fouling out.
Coleman with her three 3-pointers on Saturday hit a milestone as she became the all-time 3-pointers made leader with 183, passing Brooke Pendergraft's total of 181.
The Mountaineers shot 50 percent from 3-point range (8-for-16), but were 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. They finished the game shooting 37 percent from the field. Mines shot just 33.8 percent from the field, but took advantage of the Western turnovers as it scored 22 points off turnovers compared to five points off 13 Oredigger turnovers for the Mountaineers.
Pinto led Mines with 23 points to go along with three steals, Raven Herrera had 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals while Sammy Van Sickle had seven points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals.
The Mountaineers return to action Friday as they host CSU Pueblo before hosting Adams State on Saturday in their final two home games of the season.