SPEARFISH, S.D. – After a two week break, the Black Hills State University women's basketball team returned to action at home against Colorado State University-Pueblo, and fell in its final game of 2017, 60-49.

The Yellow Jackets fall to 10-3 overall and 4-3 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action, while the ThunderWolves improve to 9-4 overall and remain undefeated in conference play, 7-0.

CSU-Pueblo opened up the first quarter with a layup by leading scorer Katie Cunningham to take a 2-0 lead. However, two free throws by Rachel Erickson put the Green and Gold on the board to tie it up.

From there, the two teams battled it out for three quarters, changing the lead over 11 times.

In the fourth quarter, the ThunderWolves ran away with it, going on an 11-0 run to lead over the Yellow Jackets, 50-40, with 5:43 remaining. Remi Wientjes ended the run with a shot from downtown to trail by seven at 50-43. However, it was not enough, as CSU Pueblo closed it out, 60-49.

Lauren Heyn and Katie Cunningham were the top performers for CSU Pueblo, each registering a double-double. Heyn led with 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Cunningham dropped in 10 points and grabbed 11 boards. Taylor Long worked alongside Heyn and Cunningham, notching 10 points.

For the Yellow Jackets, Remi Wientjes led the way, scoring nine points, while Rachel Erickson and Keely Bertram each scored eight.

On defense, Lyndzi Rich, Katie Messler, and Hannah Cass all grabbed seven boards.

The Green and Gold shot 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the line and 30.5 percent (18-of-59) from the field. CSUP edged out on rebounds, 41-38.

The Yellow Jackets will have another opportunity, as they hit the road to start 2018, travelling to New Mexico Highlands on Friday, January 5 and then to CSU-Pueblo for a rematch on Saturday, January 6. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.