SPEARFISH, S.D.—The first half of the season has been one to remember for the Black Hills State University women's basketball team.  The Yellow Jackets' 6-1 overall record prior to Friday evening's contest with New Mexico Highlands is the best since kicking-off the 2007-08 season with a 7-1 record.

Eight years and a switch to NCAA Division II later, the Yellow Jackets will look to end the first half of the 2015-16 season with an 8-1 record.  BHSU took another step toward that feat with a 70-38 win over New Mexico Highlands Friday evening at the Donald E. Young Center. The win pushed the Yellow Jacket win streak to five games.

BHSU improves to 7-1, 4-0 RMAC while the Cowgirls fall to 4-5, 2-2 RMAC.

The three ball was in fine tune for the Yellow Jackets throughout the first two quarters. BHSU's eight first half three-pointers propelled them to a 42-22 lead at halftime.

The three-point basket gave the Yellow Jackets momentum they didn't surrender throughout the entire game. Bailey Kusser, Julia Seamans and Christine Thorn each knocked down a three-pointer to pace BHSU to a 14-6 lead at the 3:51 mark of the first quarter.

That eight point lead eventually grew to 12 when Cheyanne Balster nailed a triple at the final buzzer of the first quarter to make the score 21-9.

Thorn continued to find her stroke beyond the arch with three more triples in the second quarter. This paced a 23-8 run that helped BHSU grow their lead to 44-17 with 2:08 left in the second quarter. 

Thorn finished the first half with 13 points and four-for-four from beyond the arch, which lifted the Yellow Jackets to a 46-22-halftime lead.

Michelle Traynham and Kylee Reibel returned the favor with a three ball each to narrow the BHSU lead to 49-32 at the 4:16 mark of the third quarter. The Yellow Jackets fended the Cowgirls from getting any closer, thanks to another Seamans three-pointer with 1:42 left in the third quarter to make the score 55-35.

The Yellow Jackets converted on three free throws to close the third frame, helping push their lead to 60-36.

The Yellow Jacket defense held the Cowgirls to two points in the fourth quarter. Kassidy Scott's four points in the frame led the pack in a 10-2 fourth quarter, sealing a 70-38 win.

Thorn (17) and Kassidy Scott (11) each registered career-highs in points. Seamans added 10 points to round out BHSU players in double-figures.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action tomorrow against Western New Mexico. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.