DENVER – MSU Denver's bid for a return to the RMAC Tournament championship game in women's basketball came up just short Friday night, as 21^st- and 23^rd-ranked Colorado School of Mines claimed a 74-66 semifinal victory.
 
The Roadrunners (16-14) never led, but also never fell too far off the pace after trailing 25-15 late in the first quarter. Twice in the fourth period, MSU Denver pulled within two points – on a jumper by Kendra Parra with 4:01 left and again on a driving layup by Tosjanae Bonds with 2:28 to go.
 
Mines (24-5) grabbed one of its 11 offensive rebounds at that point, and the ensuing basket gave the Orediggers a 70-66 advantage with 1:36 left. MSU Denver was unable to score on its final five possessions.
 
"We just couldn't ever get over the hump, and it really took its toll," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We'd be down six or eight, then get it back to two or three, and then we just couldn't make a play. And that's hard when you're playing against a team like that. That's a good team."
 
Bonds led MSU Denver with 16 points and Parra added 15 while making 7 of 9 from the field. Mikylah Espinosa and Jaiden Galloway each scored nine, and Galloway had a team-high five assists.
 
Down 12-5 early, MSU Denver tied the game 31-31 on a 3-pointer by Ashlyn Yow with 2:55 left in the first half. Eleven times the Roadrunners rallied from at least two possessions behind (four points or more) to make it a one possession game (trailing by three points or less).
 
"We shot the ball well, but we also had some shots where we had to make it and didn't, and then they converted and it becomes a four-point swing," Haave said. "One of two of those, and there you go, it's an eight-point game (the final margin). We just couldn't get a stop when we needed it, or a stop and a score when we needed it."
 
The Roadrunners shot 50.0 percent from the field (25 of 50) and hit 6 of 15 (40.0 percent) from 3, but were an uncharacteristic 58.8 percent (10 of 17) at the free throw line.
 
At 16-14, MSU Denver secured its sixth winning season in the past seven years.
 
"You can't question the effort of our team – they left everything out there," Haave said. "It just didn't work out tonight. It's always a hard locker room at the end of the season. It wasn't for lack of effort or caring – this team played for each other all year long and it was a great team to coach, a fun team to coach and to see improve throughout the year."
 
Though hopeful of getting back forward Mya Jones for an extra season, the Roadrunners say goodbye to senior guards Jaiden Galloway and Brianna Bailey.
 
"We've had tremendous leadership," Haave said. "And I think our freshmen paid attention to what it takes to be successful at this level. They had great role models."