Spearfish, S.D - From the opening whistle to the ending buzzer, the Black Hills State University women's basketball team (9-14, 8-11 RMAC) came out with a exciting high-energy mentality that pressured the visiting Colorado Christian University Cougars (13-10, 10-9 RMAC) on way to a 75-70 victory on Saturday night.
BHSU head coach, Mark Nore, made it appoint to commend his team for really stepping up to the challenge this week of stepping up their game in all facets.
"I really challenged them today to be better rebounders and they responded well. We played for a complete game, last night I thought we played half. Even when they made their run, our bench came in and gave us good solid minutes. It feels good to play well," Nore said.
The Yellow Jackets high-pressure swarm of the Cougars eventually benefited BHSU most when it came to grabbing 39 rebounds, which included 15 offensive, to allow for some much needed and well deserved second chance points. Bodies were flying all over the court throughout the contest as if it were a playoff game where the stakes were even higher.
Even after the Jackets hit just one three-point shot in the first half, they were leading 35-32. They remained consistent while making just two more in the second half and still retaining the lead most of the game and dictating the tempo.
The Jackets' aggressiveness on the offensive side of the ball helped get them to the free-throw line 30 times. On the night, BHSU was 22-of-30 from the stripe, good for 73.3 percent.
Sophomore guard, Chelsey Biegler (5-10 Rapid City, SD), again led the way for the Yellow Jackets with 24 points and added five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Calli Bechtel had eight first half points on way to 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting eight rebounds and four assists.
One of the biggest weapons for the Jackets tonight was the versatility of sophomore guard, Cassidy Kotelman (Brookings, SD) who had seven points and seven rebounds in the first half alone on way to a double-double night with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals in 33 minutes played.
"Coach really challenged us tonight, challenged one of us to get at least ten rebounds…takes a challenge to get it done I guess," Kotelman laughed, "Offensive boards were big for us tonight as a team, percentages go up."
Kotelman's versatility to play both inside and outside is something she is not only willing to do but has fun doing so in the process.
"I play a little bit of everything. If our main point-guard is out, they'll throw me into point-guard if our posts are out I'll slide into post…I like being versatile and it's a lot of fun," Kotelman said.
"Defensive is something you can always have, even if your shots aren't falling one night. My big thing is being physical and hitting someone hard. The key for me is just being aggressive, not letting someone else be the aggressor," Kotelman continued.
As the game progressed it was obvious that the plan was to make CCU uncomfortable and they did just that as the Cougars rarely fell into a rhythm offensively in the first half that had them make 11-of-28 shots, they did however make six three-pointers to keep them in the game.
It was evident that the Yellow Jackets exerted their will on the Cougars as they not only out-rebounded them but used their size and athleticism to force 13 turnovers, six steals and four blocks.
BHSU finished 46-percent from the field on 25-of-54 shooting on 14 assists and six steals. The Cougars ended with 22 made shots out of 53 attempts – good for 41-percent. They had nine three-pointers, seven steals and two blocks.
The Yellow Jackets hit the road for the last time this season to Colorado State-Pueblo and UC-Colorado Spring on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23. They return home for the last game of the season on Senior Night versus Chadron St. on March 2, 2013 at 5:30 pm MT.
