Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado Christian
Friday, February 23, 2007 - 6:00 pm
Volk Gym - Golden, Colo.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Metro State
Saturday, Ferbruary 24, 2007 - 6:00 pm
Volk Gym - Golden, Colo.

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THE HEAD COACH: Paula Krueger is in her fourth year as the head women’s basketball coach at Colorado School of Mines. Last year, Krueger led the Orediggers to a 16-14 overall mark, including an 8-11 record in the RMAC. However, she saved her best work for late in the season as CSM was the last team to qualify for the RMAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed. The eighth-seeded Orediggers travelled to top-seeded Regis and handed the Rangers a 71-57 setback. It marked the first time in the history of the RMAC Tournament that an eighth-seeded team defeated the top-seeded team. It was also the first win in program history in the RMAC Tournament. CSM then went on to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 67-61, in the semfinals before falling to CSU-Pueblo, 65-54, in the championship game. A graduate of Northern State, Krueger was a standout on the basketball court as she earned national tournament MVP honors as a senior during Northern’s national championship campaign in 1993-94. In addition, Krueger was also a team captain and all-district performer on NSU’s softball team. She earned NSU’s prestigious Hildred Wolfe Student Athlete of the Year award as a senior. Following her successful athletic career, Krueger served as a graduate assistant at Northern State from 1995-96 for women’s basketball and softball while finishing up her studies. She received her bachelor’s in education from Northern in 1995 and her master’s in teaching in 1996. Following graduation, Krueger moved to Nevada where she taught and coached at Pahrump Valley High School for one year before returning to Northern State in 1997 to serve as the assistant women’s basketball coach and head softball coach. During her six years as an assistant at NSU, Krueger helped guide the squad to a 114-59 mark.

No. Probable Starters Pos Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG
5 Sara Eickelman G 5-8 So. Pueblo, Colo. 6.2 4.3 2.4
15 Emily Dalton F 5-11 Fr. Golden, Colo. 9.2 5.1 1.0
23 Iva Tomova G 5-8 Sr. Varna, Bulgaria 16.8 4.1 2.8
30 Blakelee Midyett F 6-0 Fr. Golden, Colo. 6.8 4.9 0.5
44 Savannah Afoa C 6-1 Fr. Anchorage, Alaska 5.0 4.1 0.6

No. Off the Bench Pos Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG
14 Elise Goggin G 5-4 So. Colorado Springs 0.8 0.1 0.2
20 Amanda Adams F 5-7 So. Evergreen, Colo. 3.7 3.4 0.8
22 Emily Przekwas G 5-5 Jr. Littleton, Colo. 2.5 1.1 0.6
24 Julie Marshall G 5-6 So. Billings, Mont. 2.6 0.8 1.0
25 Bailey Christenson G 5-5 RFR. Boulder, Colo. 0.2 0.4 0.06
31 Liz Jeffries F 5-9 Jr. Castle Rock, Colo. 3.6 3.2 1.2
40 Shannon Griep F 5-10 Sr. Longmont, Colo. 0.6 0.6 0.0
42 Brecca Gaffney C 6-1 Fr. Greeley, Colo. 3.5 5.0 2.0
55 Angela Pearson C 6-0 Sr. Arvada, Colo. 6.6 6.2 0.6

CSM PICKED FIFTH IN RMAC PRESEASON POLL: The Colorado School of Mines women’s basketball team was picked fifth in the 2006-07 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball East Division Preseason Poll. The Orediggers received 55 total points to finish behind East Division favorite Regis University and runner-up Metro State. Regis received 10 first place votes and 18 total points, while Metro garnered two first place votes and 27 total points. Nebraska-Kearney finished third with 32 points and was followed by UC-Colorado Springs (54), MINES (55), Chadron State (74) and Colorado Christian (83).

LAST TIME OUT (2/16/07-2/17/07): The Colorado School of Mines women’s baskeball team split a pair of away games this past weekend. They fell to the Number one in the RMAC, Regis Friday night by a score 60-47. They turned around Saturday to face UCCS where they beat the Mountain Lions 63-53.

10-2 AT HOME: Mines returns to home to wrap up the 2006-07 regular season play. Lucky for the Orediggers home is right where they want to play their last two games, since they are 10-2 at home this season.

PLAYING FOR HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Mines is a definite playoff contender this season but whether or not they will get a first round home game is the question. Mines currently sits in sixth place in the conference right now. With two more games, wins are a must if they want a shot at hosting a first round playoff game. Mines faces one of the stuggleing teams this weekend along with one of the best!

ABOUT COLORADO CHRISTIAN:Christian has struggled this season with only three RMAC wins. However, they are looking to pull an upset Friday at Volk Gym. Mines must win this game if they want any chance at hosting a playoff game. Mines beat the Cougars earlier this season 71-42.

ABOUT METRO: Metro Comes into Mines second in the East Division with a 13-4 record and on a five game winning streak. Mines will look to beat the Roadrunners in hopes of falling into a spot to host the first round of the playoffs. Metro beat Mines earlier this season, 63-49. But a home game is just what the Orediggers need to upset the Roadrunners and end their winning streak.

OUT OF THIS COUNTRY: Senior guard Iva Tomova, continues her dominating play. This season, Tomova is leading the team, averaging 16.8 points per game which ranks her fourth in the RMAC. She has scored in double figures in 22 of 25 games played. Tomova also ranks eighth in the RMAC with a .817 free throw percentage. Tomova led Mines his weekend with 20 points in their win over UCCS.

BE LIKE EICK: Sophomore Sara Eickelman continues to be the backbone of the Orediggers this season. Eickelman has started all 25 games, Eickelman is averaging 6.2 points per game and is second on the team with 44 steals and 61 assists.

GOLDEN DALTON: A Golden, Colo. native, Emily Dalton has started her college career off smokin’, she has started the last 23 games, and has showed why she deserves that roll. She is second on the team with an average of 9.2 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. Dalton ranks ninth in the RMAC with a .501 field goal percentage.

REDSHIRT COMES OFF FOR BLAKELEE: Ever since Midyett was unredshirted she has done nothing but help the Orediggers. The Golden, Colo. native is averaging 6.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game, third on the team. Midyett has also become a starter, she proves why with her solid performances.

AFOA GETS ROLL AS STARTER: Afoa is the third true freshman for Mines who has earned the starting position. Afoa has come on strong the past couple of games for the Orediggers. Afoa had 10 points Saturday against UCCS. She currentley ranks fourth in the RMAC with 21 blocked shots.

“Piercing” Pearson: Angela Pearson has one of the toughest jobs this season, replacing standout Ashley Gronewoller. Mines expects big things from the 6-0 center in 2006-07. After being in Gronewoller’s shadow, Pearson now gets her chance to shine and show what she’s all about. Pearson is averaging 6.6 points per game and leads the team with a 6.2 rebounds per game average so far this season, ranking her 15th in the RMAC. She is also ranked 12th with 12 blocked shots.