SPEARFISH, S.D. – Led by three players in double figures, the Black Hills State University women's basketball won its first game of the season 73-51 over Montana Tech Tuesday night in its home opener in the Young Center.

Courtney Patterson had a team-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting while Chelsey Biegler and Rachel Erickson each scored 10 points. Dakota Barrie nearly completed a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets (1-2) never trailed in the game after starting off with a 7-0 lead. Barrie found Cassidy Kotelman for a 3-point basket as Taylor Trohkimoinen and Logan Cowan each converted layups.

Black Hills State entered halftime with a 38-25 lead as Patterson entered the intermission a perfect 5-of-5 for 13 points.

The Green and Gold kept the pressure on the Orediggers, opening a lead as large as 25 points when Kotelman sank a jumper with 4:05 remaining to give the Yellow Jackets a 68-43 lead.

The Yellow Jackets shot 47.4 percent (27-57) from the field and 42.1 percent (8-19) from long range, both season bests.

Kabri Emerson led Montana Tech with 20 points and 13 rebounds while the Orediggers shot an abysmal 2-for-31 from 3-point range and just 30.6 percent from the field.

Black Hills State won the rebound game 45-37, led by Cowan with nine boards.

The Yellow Jackets will look to continue their home cookin' Friday night hosting Western Colorado State University at 5:30 p.m.