GOLDEN, Colo. – Playing a tight first quarter had the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team to within five, then Colorado School of Mines jumped the lead into double-digits in the second quarter and never looked back in taking the 75-37 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday night.

WNMU (8-17, 5-14 RMAC) struggled from the field making just 13-62 (21) and 1-15 (7) from three. They did however shoot well at the charity stripe connecting on 10-12 (83).
CSM (18-5, 16-3 RMAC) didn't shoot outstandingly well, but did make 13 more shots going 26-66 (39) from the field, 8-30 (27) from three and also did well at the foul line hitting on 15-20 (75).

Juniors Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) and Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) had the Lady Mustangs off to a good start with each connecting on buckets over the first few minutes to keep WNMU in the lead. Gutierrez helped tie the game for the second time near the end of the first quarter when she dialed long distance for the 9-all score.

The Orediggers capped the final few minutes strong going on a 5-0 run to take a 14-9 lead through the first 10 minutes.

The run didn't stop between quarters as CSM ended up turning the run into a 14-0 spurt that had them looking at a 23-9 lead with 5:18 to go before halftime.

The Orediggers controlled play throughout the second quarter outscoring WNMU 24-5 to take a 38-14 lead into halftime.

CSM remained in control out of the break posting a 16-8 advantage in the third quarter. WNMU had their best 10 minutes in the fourth putting up 15 points to 21 for CSM.

Senior My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) had a solid game for WNMU posting a double-double with a team-high 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Lady Mustangs as a team had seven steals with junior Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) coming away with three.

Cassidy Budge led CSM and all-scorers with 19 points, while Anna Kollmorgen added 12 and Elizabeth Tomon with 11. Kollmorgen just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.

WNMU will return home this coming week when they host Adams State University on Friday night beginning at 5:30 p.m.