SPEARFISH, S.D. – Four players in double-digits, including a double-double effort by Katie Messler, carried the Black Hills State University women's basketball team to a sweep of the weekend, as it won over Adams State University on Saturday afternoon, 71-53.

The Yellow Jackets improve to 13-4 overall and 7-4 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference while the Grizzlies fall to 3-11 overall and 1-11 in conference.

In the opening quarter, Keely Bertram put the Green and Gold on the board first knocking one in from in the paint within the first 15 seconds. However, the Grizzlies answered back with Ki'asha Harris laying one in to tie it, 2-2. From there, Katie Messler notched two points back to back to increase the lead, 6-2.

In the middle of the quarter, the Yellow Jackets got on a 6-0 run with Lyndzi Rich dropping in two layups, followed up with a jumper by Rachel Erickson to increase the lead, 12-4, and close out the quarter, 16-13.

In the second quarter, the Green and Gold got on a roll. Messler opened the quarter with a jumper from the corner of the key to give BHSU an 18-13 lead. From there, Black Hills State got on a 7-0 run to push the lead up to 12 at 29-17, before closing out the half at 29-18.

After the intermission, the Yellow Jackets never gave up, as they started on a 7-0 run in the beginning of the third to increase the lead to 18. Julia Seamans started the run with a jumper. Bertram followed up with a shot from downtown and then a drive to the basket to give BHSU a 36-18 lead.

The Grizzlies tried to cut in on the Yellow Jacket lead, as they brought it within 11 points twice but were unable to capitalize.

In the final quarter, the Green and Gold just ran away with it, not allowing the Grizzlies back in the game. Black Hills State came out with the victory, 71-53.

Erickson led all scorers with 14 points, going 50 percent (5-of-10) from the field, 50 percent (2-of-4) from the downtown range, and 66 percent (2-of-3) from the line. Rich was right behind with 12 points, followed by Messler with 11, and Bertram with 10.

Messler notched her first double-double of the season, grabbing 10 boards alongside 11 points. Rich worked alongside Messler on the defense, grabbing six boards.

Following the weekend, Black Hills State hosts in-state rival South Dakota Mines on Tuesday, January 16, followed by Westminster College on Thursday, January 18 with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. both nights.