Western New Mexico's women's basketball team turned in a tenacious effort, but in the end, the scrappy Mustangs couldn't handle Colorado School of Mines' size inside and fell, 69-52, Friday night in Silver City. 

The loss saw WNMU fall to 1-7 (1-1 RMAC) for the season while the Orediggers improved to 6-2 (3-0 RMAC).

 

Mines went 13-of-18 in the second half for a sizzling 72 percent success rate in field goals while hitting 13 of 14 from the charity stripe. Still WNMU trimmed Mines' 11-point halftime lead to five on three occasions midway through the second half only to have the visitors convert easy baskets from the paint, where the Mustangs were out-manned. 

 

WNMU shot 37 percent from the floor in the second half but were ice cold in the opening half, shooting just 20 percent from the floor. The Orediggers dominated the boards, out-rebounding their hosts 43-28.  

 

Senior Audra Major (Socorro, NM, Socorro High School, Midland Community College) led the way for WNMU with 21 points followed by Lonnie Sanchez (Scottsdale, AZ, St. Mary's High School, Central Arizona College) with 10.

 

Colorado School of Mines had four players hit double digits with 6-2 center Katie Carty leading the way with 20 points. Emily Dalton chipped in 13 for Mines while Stephanie Fogle and Angie Charchalis added 10 points each. 

WNMU returns to action Saturday night as they host Colorado Christian at 6:00 p.m. (MST).

Click here for complete game statistics.