LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Katie Messler and Rachel Erickson each scored in double-figures, as the Black Hills State women's basketball team defeated New Mexico Highlands University, 76-51, on Friday evening.

Messler and Erickson each scored 11 points to lead BHSU (11-3, 5-3 RMAC). Four Yellow Jackets chipped in eight points.

The first quarter was back-and-forth, with the two teams exchanging baskets. With nine seconds remaining, Danielle Noble made a lay-up while getting fouled for her first points as a Yellow Jacket. She also made the free throw, and the Green and Gold ultimately held a 17-16 lead after the opening period. However, BHSU outscored the Cowgirls (4-9, 2-6 RMAC) 22-10 in the second quarter, and took a 13-point lead, at 39-26, into halftime.

The Yellow Jackets came out hot from the break, using an 11-4 run to take a commanding lead in the game, and only extended their lead in the fourth quarter. BHSU led by as many as 30 points in the game, and ultimately took the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game by 25 points, 76-51.

???????BHSU shot 58.0 percent from the field (29-for-50), while NMHU was 37.5 percent from the floor (18-for-48). The Yellow Jackets were 9-for-22 (40.9 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Cowgirls were 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) on three-pointers. The Green and Gold outrebounded New Mexico Highlands, 27-21. The visitors also racked up 17 assists.

Ida Valencia led all scorers with 14 points, while Allyah George had 13 points for the Cowgirls.

The Green and Gold will next travel to CSU-Pueblo. The rematch from last weekend, on Saturday, January 6, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
  Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.