Silver City, N.M. – The Black Hills State women's basketball team never trailed during their 70-63 victory over the Western New Mexico Mustangs on Friday night in Silver City, N.M.

The Yellow Jackets came out hot to start the first, building a 21-6 lead in the first 10 minutes of play. Western New Mexico would make a run of their own to close out the half, and the Yellow Jackets led the Mustangs 29-24 going into halftime.

 Calli Bechtel led the Yellow Jackets in the first period, scoring 11 of her game-high 25 points in the opening half. Bechtel was perfect during the first 20 minutes, making all five of her field goal attempts, including shooting one-for-one from behind the three point line. Chelsey Biegler added 12 points and three rebounds for the Yellow Jackets in the first.

"I thought we distributed the ball well tonight," said head coach Mark Nore. "We did a nice job of getting everyone involved."

The second half was more of the same for Black Hills State, extending their lead in the early minutes of the half. This was due to a 22-11 run made by the Jackets in the first eight minutes of play. Just like the first half, Western New Mexico would make a run. The Mustangs closed the gap to only three, 61-58, with just under three minutes left in the game. Solid free throw shooting was key for the Jackets down the stretch, as they would extend their lead to seven, 70-63, before the final buzzer sounded.

"We made plays down the stretch when we needed to," said Nore. "This was a good team win."

Bechtel had an outstanding game for Black Hills State, scoring 25 points and pulling down seven rebounds to lead the Yellow Jackets. She shot 73 percent from the field for the game. Biegler was not far behind, scoring 24 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out five rebounds during the contest.  

The Jackets return to action tonight when they take on the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in Las Vegas, N.M. at 6:00 PM.