Las Vegas, N.M. – The Black Hills State women's basketball team defeated the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls 67-50 on Saturday night, completing their weekend sweep of two RMAC opponents.
Black Hills State shot the basketball extremely well during the game, shooting over 65 percent from the field and 62 percent from behind the three point line. The Jackets held the Cowgirls to just 31 percent shooting during the contest. Black Hills State out-rebounded New Mexico Highlands 38 to 17.
The Jackets came out ready to play, jumping out to a 23-5 lead in the first 11 minutes of the game. They would show offensive and defensive consistency throughout the period, cruising to a halftime lead, 38-22.
For the second night in a row, Calli Bechtel proved to be a force for the Yellow Jacket offense. In the first half alone, Bechtel recorded 15 points on seven of eight shooting and pulled down five first-half rebounds. Chelsey Biegler added 13 in the half to help extend the lead going into intermission.
"We shot the ball really well all weekend," said head coach Mark Nore. "We did a nice job of setting our teammates up and taking high percentage shots."
The Jackets' strangling defense and offensive efficiency eliminated any hope the Cowgirls had of making a second-half run. New Mexico Highlands pulled to within 15, but that's as close as it would get. Black Hills State cruised to victory, 67-50.
Bechtel led the charge for Black Hills State, recording a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Logan Cowan scored a career-high 19 points on eight of nine shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Biegler scored 18 for the Yellow Jackets. Cassidy Kotelman recorded eight rebounds and four assists, and Dakota Barrie scored seven points and dished out five assists during the game.
Black Hills State will return home next weekend, January 25th and 26th, to take on University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado State-Pueblo. Both games tip off at 5:30PM at the Donald E. Young Center in Spearfish.
