Lady Miners come away winners in season opener

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Coaches always have fears going into a season opener, especially when playing an opponent that already has games under its belt.

The Lady Miners were able to ease any of Alan Eads' fears Friday night with a stellar defensive effort in the second half, holding Oklahoam Panhandle State to 22 second half points in a 65-53 victory over the Aggies in the Colorado Christian Classic.

UMR led the contest 37-31 at halftime, but allowed the Aggies to shoot 54.2 percent in the first 20 minutes. The Lady Miners reversed the course after the intermission by allowing OPSU to make only six of 24 from the field.

The Lady Miners trailed for the first seven-plus mionutes of the game, then took their first lead at 13-11 on a basket by Katie Bunge at the 12:26 mark. After the Aggies closed the margin to one a couple of minutes later, UMR went on a 7-0 run on baskets by Tamara McCaskill, Maria Bratcher and a three-pointer by Josie Polk.

McCaskill's basket at the 18:39 mark of the second half gave UMR its first double-figure lead of the contest at 41-31, then the lead grew to 14 on a basket by newcomer Lauren Dubbert with 15:31 to go. Meanwhile, UMR held OPSU without a point for the first five minutes of the second half to build its lead.

UMR took its biggest lead of the game at 54-38 on a basket by Bratcher at the 9:20 mark. The Aggies closed the gap to eight with 2:16 to play, but Dubbert's basket with 1:25 left returned the lead to double digits for the rest of the night.

Katie McElrath led the Lady Miners with 13 points, while McCaskill and Dubbert had 10 points apiece. UMR also got nine points and three assists from Jennifer Pena, while Dubbert and Bunge had seven rebounds apiece as UMR had a 41-32 advantage on the boards.

UMR was also seven-of-22 from three-point range, with Pena connecting on three treys and Chism McEntire on a pair.

The Lady Miners, who won their season opener for the sixth straight year, will face Saint Leo in their final game of the trip Saturday at 5 p.m. (Central time).