SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A career-high 16 points from Sierra Toms carried the Black Hills State University women's basketball team to a 61-51 victory over the Westminster Griffins on Saturday night.

The Yellow Jackets got off to a quick 4-0 lead with back-to-back layups by Abby Switzer and Cheyanne Balster. That did not last too long though as the Griffins responded back with Aubrie Vale taking a shot from inside the key. Max Shelley scored the other two Griffins points from the line. From there, it went round and round as the two teams traded off the lead with Westminster leading at the end of the first, 11-10.

In the second quarter, the Green and Gold really found their momentum. After being tied at 15-all, a jumper from Balster started a 6-0 run and gave BHSU the lead at 17-15. Kassidy Scott had four of those six points making two shots from the free throw line and followed that up with a layup to give the Yellow Jackets a 21-15 lead. That was enough to give the Green and Gold the lead into halftime at 29-26.

After halftime, Rachel Erickson came out strong making a quick layup to increase the lead 31-26. The Griffins tried to close in on the lead going on a 4-0 run to come within one of the Yellow Jackets at 31-30. It was not enough though as the Griffins were unable to grab the lead and BHSU closed out the third at 42-32.

The Yellow Jackets increased the lead at the start of the fourth with Taylor Trohkimionen and Erickson making back-to-back layups. Shelley responded back with a layup to try to close in on the lead of BHSU. That was not enough though as Keely Bertram hit a trey to increase the Green and Gold lead to 15 at 49-34. That was enough for Black Hills State to keep the momentum and end the game at 61-51.

Black Hills State shot 40 percent (22-of-55) from the field, 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from beyond the arc and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the line.

Alongside Toms, Scott and Erickson each scored 10 points apiece contributing to Yellow Jacket offense and victory.

On defense, Trohkimoinen grabbed six rebounds while Switzer, Balster and Toms each had five rebounds.

The Green and Gold improve to 7-11 overall and 7-7 in conference play while the Westminster Griffins fall to 7-10 on the season and 5-8 in conference action.

Black Hills State returns home to the Young Center for a five-game home stand starting with Colorado Mesa Friday, January 27 and Western State Saturday, January 28. Tip off on Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday.