SPEARFISH, S.D.—The Black Hills State University women's basketball team's history with Westminster College only dates one game. That game occurred on January 1 when BHSU notched a 76-55 victory over the Griffins in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Westminster College, ineligible for Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference postseason action, had nothing but pride on the line in their meeting with the Yellow Jackets at the Young Center Saturday evening. For the Yellow Jackets, a first place standing and six-game win streak was at stake.
The festivities (Round Ball, Senior Night) surrounding this contest was too much for the Griffins to overcome in a 55-46 loss to BHSU. The Yellow Jackets improve to 19-4, 16-4 RMAC while Westminster College falls to 10-13, 7-12 RMAC.
Yellow Jackets 55, Westminster 46
Unlike their previous meeting, up-and-down play highlighted the contest. The Yellow Jackets and Griffins each shot 5-of-13 from the field in the first quarter. Westminster held an advantage with a .600 (3-of-5) field goal percentage, which helped them take a 13-12 lead through one quarter of play.
BHSU regained the lead when Bailey Kusser registered a three-pointer with 8:29 left in the second quarter to make the score 15-13. The Yellow Jackets didn't trail for the rest of the frame and jumped to a 24-17 lead after Taylor Trohkimoinen converted an and-one with 4:49 left in the second quarter.
Westminster closed the first half with a 7-3 run that narrowed BHSU's lead to 27-24 at halftime.
The Griffins tied the game 27-27 at the 9:26 mark of the third quarter when Aubrie Hale drained a three-pointer.
Five different lead changes took place in the third quarter, which ended when Trohkimoinen nailed a free throw with :21 left to give the Yellow Jackets a 41-40 advantage.
The three-ball was the recipe that helped BHSU gain a cushion on the Griffins in the final period. Rachel Erickson and Kusser each notched a three-pointer to help the Yellow Jackets jump to their largest lead of the game at 51-43 with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter.
It was enough cushion to secure a 55-46 BHSU victory. Kusser and Rachel Erickson each paced the Yellow Jacket offense with 14 points.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Friday, February 19 at UCCS. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
