It was a debut to remember for head coach Matt Enriquez. The Western New Mexico University women’s basketball team had built their lead back to 11 midway through the second half and appeared ready to hand Colorado School of Mines their first conference loss. The Orediggers regrouped and were able to just escape with the 58-57 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.
Colorado Mines (8-2, 6-0 RMAC) has had five of their six conference games decided by a possession – this one would be no different. Early on, the Orediggers were ready powered mostly by Courtney Martin who accounted for six of the eight points as they moved in front 8-2 three minutes in.
Desiree Smith pushed WNMU (5-6, 3-3 RMAC) in front for the first time at 11-10 on a jumper off the fastbreak. It was the start of a big night for Smith as she went for a team-high 19 points.
Cristiana Yepa and My’Kale French helped move the lead to six before WNMU took a 17-12 lead after the first quarter.
The three-point ball continued to fall in the second quarter with Jada Grady dialing long distance on back-to-back possessions to bulge the lead to 11 at 23-12. CSM wouldn’t go away as they responded finishing the half on an 18-7 run to tie the game at 30 with Laura Tyree hitting a running three-pointer as the half expired.
The Orediggers tallied the first four points of the second half and then WNMU took over once again. A Jade Botelho basket in the paint helped ignite a 12-0 run that had WNMU holding a 42-34 lead near the end of the quarter. Smith gave the Lady Mustangs their 11 point lead back near the end of the quarter when she hit a jumper in the paint at 49-38.
Still in front by six with 6:20 to play in the game, the Orediggers began to make their move. They fought back to tie the game at 54 with two minutes to play to setup the exciting finish. Smith delivered again like she had all night with a tough drive to the paint for the basket and was fouled. She connected on the foul shot to boost the lead to three.
Martin answered on the other end for the Orediggers leaving it a one-point game with 1:14 to play. CSM’s defense stole the show on the next possession for WNMU as they came away with three blocks to force a shot clock violation. On the ensuing possession, Mikaela Moore pushed CSM in front with a jumper with 23 seconds to play.
That ended up being the final points with WNMU trying for the last shot and win, but Jordan Gutierrez’s shot just rimmed out from the foul line leaving CSM with the slim 58-57 victory.
WNMU took advantage of strong three-point shooting going 7-22 (31.8), while CSM was just 1-14 (7.1). From the field, CSM shot better making 26-61 (42.6), while WNMU hit on 23-62 (37.1). At the foul line the Orediggers made one more (5-4).
Outside of Smith’s big game, Botelho and Grady also went for double-figures with Botelho tallying 10 and Grady with 11. Botelho pulled down six rebounds to lead the team.
Martin tied for the game-high in points to lead the Orediggers with 19 and she also grabbed 10 rebounds. Tyree added 15 points.
WNMU will return to action tomorrow night when they will host Colorado Christian beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Cougars defeated New Mexico Highlands, 82-59, earlier tonight