SPEARFISH, S.D.—Regis University paid a visit to the Black Hills State University women's basketball team on Friday evening. The Yellow Jackets saw their seven-game win streak come to a halt in a 71-58 decision at Colorado Mesa University on January 2. BHSU finished with a dismal .327 (18-for-55) field goal percentage in their loss against the Mavericks after notching a .577 figure in a 76-55 win against Westminster College on January 1.
The green and gold were eyeing a season sweep of the Rangers after defeating them 76-65 in Denver on December 12. That mission was accomplished as BHSU defeated Regis University 67-60.
The Yellow Jackets improve to 10-2, 7-1 RMAC while the Rangers fall to 6-8, 4-4 RMAC.
Yellow Jackets 67, Regis University 60
The opening stage was a game of chess as seven different lead changes took place. Down 9-7, Rachel Erickson converted on free throw and a layup to put BHSU in the driver's seat at 10-9 with 3:00 left in the first quarter.
Erickson closed the final three minutes of the frame with four points to extend BHSU's lead to 19-14.
She gave the green and gold more cushion with back-to-back three-pointers to extend their lead to 25-16 at the 7:38 mark of the third quarter.
Erickson registered three more points to help widen the margin to 15 points with 3:45 left in the second quarter. Erickson registered a career-high 18 points at that point.
The Rangers had the Yellow Jackets walking on eggshells down the stretch. Bay'lee Purdy registered a three-pointer, a steal and layup to cut the Ranger deficit to 35-30 with :36 left in the second quarter.
At the second quarter buzzer, Cheyanne Balster hit a layup to widen the BHSU lead to 37-30.
The Rangers improved upon their first-half .435 field goal percentage with a .571 figure in the third quarter, which helped Regis narrow their deficit. The daggar occurred when Purdy's three-pointer tied the game 39-39 at the 6:09 mark of the third quarter.
Regis closed the third quarter with a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 49-41.
A Kusser jump shot, followed by a pair of free throws and a three-pointer from Taylor Trohkimoinen narrowed the Ranger lead to 49-48 with 6:33 left in the fourth quarter.
After the Rangers and Yellow Jackets traded buckets, Kusser nailed a three pointer with 4:23 left in the fourth quarter to help BHSU regain the lead at 53-51. After Kaylie Rader tied things 53-53, BHSU took the lead for good when Trohkimoinen hit a three to make the score 56-53 at the 3:30 mark of the fourth quarter.
That gave BHSU the momentum needed in an 11-7 run to close the game and secure a 67-60 victory.
Erickson led the Yellow Jacket scoring with 18 points. Trohkimoinen and Kusser added 16 and 11 points respectively.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, January 9 when they take on Chadron State at the Young Center. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.
