SILVER CITY, N.M.—Perfection has been the story of the second half of the season for the Black Hills State University women's basketball team thus far.  It only takes one sentence to explain why and the answer is; they just keep winning at all costs.  The Yellow Jackets took their five-game winning streak to their longest road trip of the season down south to New Mexico on Friday night.  

First on the docket was Western New Mexico University, who came into the contest coming off a disappointing loss to Fort Lewis College 64-52.  History favored the Yellow Jackets in this contest as they held a 2-0 record against the Mustangs since joining the RMAC in 2012.  The Yellow Jackets didn't fare well this time around, falling to the Mustangs 56-44. 

The Yellow Jackets fall to 9-5, 7-3 RMAC while the Mustangs improve to 7-7, 5-6 RMAC.  

Black Hills State led by three points when Bailey Kusser nailed a three-pointer from the right arch to give the Yellow Jackets a 5-2 lead with 16:46 left in the first half.  Unfortunately, that was the largest lead the Yellow Jackets held in the first half as the Mustangs went on an 18-8 run to take a 20-13 lead with 9:30 left in the first half. 

Things got closer down the stretch of the first half when Kusser continued her hot three-point shooting.  She nailed another triple with 5:22 left in the first half to narrow the Mustang lead to four at 24-20.

The Yellow Jackets closed in further on the Mustangs during the final minutes of the first half thanks to stellar free throw shooting.  Chelsey Biegler, Gabby Haefs, and Taylor Trohkimoinen each converted on both of their free throw attempts during the final two minutes of the first half to narrow the Mustang lead to 29-28 heading into halftime.

The momentum BHSU orchestrated to close out the first half didn't carry over into the second half.  Western New Mexico came out of the gates with a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 38-28 with 16:33 left in the second half. 

The Yellow jackets cut the Mustang lead to five points when Kusser hit another three-point shot to make the score 38-33 with 14:09 remaining in the second half. Unfortunately, that was as close things got for the balance of the contest.  The Mustangs went on an 18-11 run to close out the game, led by seven points from RaTanya Newsome. 

Kusser paced the Yellow Jackets offensively with nine points, all of which coming on three-pointers.  Ashley Mitchell's 15 points led the way for the Mustangs.

Turnovers proved to be the Achilles heal for the Yellow Jackets. They committed 21 turnovers compared to Western New Mexico University's ten.  

The Yellow Jackets will return to action tomorrow Jan. 17 when they face New Mexico Highlands University on day two of their New Mexico trek.  Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.