GOLDEN, Colo. - The Regis University women's basketball team (4-3,0-1 RMAC) opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play Tuesday night versus the No. 22 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (6-1,1-0 RMAC). It was a back-and-forth affair which featured strong shooting from both teams. It came down to the final few possessions but when the dust settled, CSM emerged victorious, 78-70.

How it Happened: The Rangers jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the opening period after graduate student Tashika Burrell drained a pair of free throws two minutes into the contest. From there, the teams would trade blow after blow. The Orediggers however capitalized off of their 60 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from the three to take back the 25-21 lead heading into the second period.

In the second frame, CSM controlled a majority of the period. Regis however shot their best percentage from the field (61%) of the night which helped them come within one point (39-40) with under two minutes to play in the half. 

In the third period, RU regained the lead for the first time since the first three minutes when junior Josey Ryan raced to the basket for a layup, making the score 55-54 in favor of the Rangers with two minutes to play in the third. Just before time expired, Ryan added another two points to increase their lead to 59-54, capping a 10-0 run.

Regis held on to their lead for a majority of the final frame until just under the five minute mark. Mines was on a 10-4 run which gave them the narrow 64-63 lead, and didn't look back. Burrell cut the lead back down to a two-score game when she drilled a tre from deep, but that would be the last basket from Regis. 

Game Notes: RU was slightly better than Mines from the field in the contest, the Rangers shot 45 percent while mines was 44 percent.

Burrell (5-9 FG, 2-5 3-PT) led the team in scoring with 14 points. 

Junior Sydney Speights (5-5 FG) was close behind with 11 points and even recorded three boards.

Freshman Megan Pohs (3-5 FG, 3-4 3-PT) , sophomore Erin Fry (2-5 FG, 1-3 3-PT) and junior Sam Deem (4-10 FG) all scored nine apiece. 

Junior Morgan L. Smith (2-5 FG, 0-1 3-PT) led the team in rebounds with six 

Up Next for the Rangers: RU will face the DI Air Force Falcons (3-3) in an exhibition game this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Colorado Springs.