MINES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WINS AT METRO STATE, 65-64

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team earned a huge 65-64 victory at Metro State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night at the Auraria Events Center.

Mines, which has clinched a spot in next week's RMAC/Wells Fargo Shootout, improved to 18-8 overall and 12-6 in conference play, while the Roadrunners, ranked fourth in the latest North Central Regional Poll, slipped to 20-6 (14-4 RMAC). There is a chance that Mines could open the Shootout with a quarterfinal game at Metro State on Wednesday night.

In Friday's game, CSM raced out to a 26-11 lead in the first half, but Metro quickly closed the gap and knotted the game at 32-32 at halftime.

The second half was evenly matched, as neither team led by more than six points. A Stephanie Davis lay-up gave Metro a six-point lead with 7:45 left, but Mines began to make its move as it took advantage of turnovers and missed shots by the Roadrunners.

An jumped by senior guard Gina Cornelio (Tucson, Ariz./Sal Pointe) gave Mines a one-point lead with just 36 seconds remaining. Following two offensive rebounds, Mines converted two free-throws with 11 seconds to play to extend their lead to three. Natasha Molock converted a jumper with two seconds to play to provide the final margin.

CSM senior forward Kristin Horkey (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) scored a game-high 17 points and added six rebounds and four assists. Junior center Ashley Gronewoller (Pagosa Springs, Colo./Pagosa Springs) chipped in 16 points, six rebounds and six blocked shots, while Cornelio finished with 10 points and six boards.

Molock led Metro State with 14 points and five assists.

Mines will conclude the regular season on Saturday night when it plays at Regis. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 pm.

- OREDIGGERS --