SPEARFISH, S.D. – In a double-overtime thriller, the Black Hills State University women's basketball team defeated No. 14 Colorado Mesa University 86-81 Saturday afternoon in the Young Center.
The Yellow Jackets fought back from a 14-point deficit in the first half and as many as 12 points with 12:55 remaining in the second half.
The victory not only marked the final team for the Yellow Jackets to earn a victory against in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference but also their first win over a ranked opponent in the NCAA Division II era. Colorado Mesa was tabbed the preseason favorite
The double-overtime affair was looking glim for BHSU before a 17-4 run turned a 51-39 deficit into a 56-55 lead. The run began with a Courtney Patterson 3-point basket, for three of her 12 points off the bench, and ended with a trey from Bailey Kusser. Kusser also scored 12 points off the Yellow Jacket bench, all on 3-point baskets.
The Mavericks would answer back quickly with a five-point lead at 61-56 with 5:44 remaining. However a jumper from Cassidy Kotelman, a pair of free throws from Taylor Trohkimoinen and a 3-point basket from Dakota Barrie gave the Yellow Jackets a 63-61 lead with 3:37 remaining in regulation.
From there, it was a battle between the two preseason favorites in the RMAC leading into a 70-70 end of regulation. In the first overtime period, the Yellow Jackets (3-2, 2-0 RMAC) looked to take a commanding lead as Cassidy Kotelman had a shovel pass to Dakota Barrie for a 3-point basket at a 77-74 lead with 22 seconds remaining.
However on the defensive end, Erin Reichle managed to draw a foul with nine seconds remaining and sank all three free throws to force a second overtime.
In the second overtime period, after Erika Musante hit a jumper to give CMU the quick 79-77 lead, it was all Black Hills State as a 9-0 run gave the Green and Gold an 86-79 lead it would not relinquish. Trohkimoinen scored five of the points while Biegler and Barrie each scored two points apiece to give the Yellow Jackets the victory.
Barrie scored 19 points to lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring while Trohkimoinen had 14 points. Kusser and Patterson each scored 12 points while Biegler and Logan Cowan had 10 points apiece. It was the first time this season that six Yellow Jackets scored in double figures.
Shanna Halalilo had 22 points to lead the way for the Mavericks. Colorado Mesa won the rebound battle 53-44, led by Musante with 12. Cassidy Kotelman had 10 rebounds, including six offensive, to lead the Yellow Jackets. Kotelman also had a game-high five assists.
The Yellow Jackets, who open 2-0 in the RMAC for the first time, look to continue its hot stretch on the road at Colorado Christian on Friday. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.
