GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa women's basketball team struggled against the long arms of the No. 18 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers in a 67-55 setback on Friday (Dec. 2) evening in Brownson Arena in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
 
Despite outshooting the Orediggers in terms of field goal percentage (40%-38%), the Mavericks took 18 fewer shots from the field largely in part to the disparity in rebounds. Colorado Mesa allowed Mines 18 offensive rebounds that led to an 18-9 advantage in second chance points and a total rebound advantage of 42-27.
 
Turnovers continue to haunt the Mavericks as they coughed it up 18 times that resulted in 20 Oredigger points.
 
Laura Gutierrez continues to provide a spark off the bench for the Mavericks as she finished with a season-high 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting.
 
Senior Monica Brooks finished with eight points and seven rebounds while Kylie Kravig was steady this evening with nine points and a career-high nine assists.
 
Josephine Howery led the Orediggers in scoring with 13 points while Ashley Steffeck finished with a double double at 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Mavericks will be back in action tomorrow evening as they play host to the MSU Denver Roadrunners at 5:30pm.