RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Black Hills State University women's basketball team defeated South Dakota Mines in a rematch game on Tuesday night, 59-55.

The Yellow Jackets improve to 18-6 overall and 12-6 in conference, while the Hardrockers fall to 14-10 on the season and 9-9 in conference play.

The Green and Gold struggled in the opening quarter and fell behind, as the Hardrockers started on a 6-0 run. However, the run ended on Danielle Noble hitting Keely Bertram in the bottom left corner of the floor, who hit the first three of the game for the Yellow Jackets to trail, 6-3, and stop the SD Mines run.

The Hardrockers managed to get on another small run before Alyssia Martinez stopped them by dropping in a shot from beyond the arc in the bottom left corner by the sideline to bring the Yellow Jackets within five at 11-6 in the final two minutes of the first quarter. However, it was not enough, as SD Mines closed out the first quarter, 19-11.

The Yellow Jackets came out with momentum, as Katie Messler picked up the offensive rebound and laid it in for a put back to start the second quarter, and a 7-0 run for the Green and Gold. Erickson stumbled to gain control of the ball but was able to flip it up to Bertram to drive the lane and score. A minute later, Seamans hit a three from the top of the arc to bring BHSU up to a 1-point deficit at 18-19.

The Hardrockers answered back with a layup by Anna Haugen to take the lead back up to three.

With 4:25 remaining in the first half, Lyndzi Rich gave BHSU its first lead of the game after making a shot under the basket to go up 25-24. South Dakota Mines reclaimed the lead though, with Taylor Molstad hitting a shot from downtown to go ahead, 27-25.

Erickson managed to tie the game up at 27-all after driving the lane and scoring. From there, the Hardrockers scored two more buckets before Erickson hit the final shot of the quarter to trail by two heading into halftime at 31-29.

SD Mines opened the third quarter hitting a three to take the lead up to 34-29. Erickson was then placed at the line and made 1-of-2, but a minute later, Messler made a move under the basket, scored, and drew the foul. After missing the free throw, Erickson grabbed the rebound, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to capitalize.

With 6:25 remaining in the third, Erickson hit a three pointer to close in on the Hardrocker lead at 36-35. She dropped another three in to give BHSU its second lead of the game at 38-36. From there, the Green and Gold closed out the third with a four-point lead at 43-39.

At the start of the fourth, the Hardrockers came out quick, scoring the first basket to keep BHSU from running up the score and trailed 43-41, but Martinez hit a big three to increase the Yellow Jacket lead to 46-41. Cooper Courtney responded back, hitting a three as well to keep close with the Green and Gold at 46-44 with 6:41 remaining in the game.

In the final three minutes of the game, Julia Seamans put some distance between BHSU and the Hardrockers, knocking down a three to go up 54-48. However, Ryan Weiss was not having it, as she drained a three with under two minutes to keep it close, but it was not enough, as BHSU closed out the game, 59-55, to stop a two-game losing streak.

The Yellow Jackets shot 46.5 percent (20-of-43) from the field, 52.9 percent (8-of-34) from long range, and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the line.

Erickson led all scorers with 14 points, while Seamans was right behind with 12. Erickson went 5-of-10 from the field, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 1-2 from the line. Seamans was 3-of-6 from the field, 3-of-5 from downtown, and 3-of-4 from the line.

On defense, Bertram led all rebounders and tied her career-high with 13 rebounds.

Black Hills State returns home after a five game road stretch to host Colorado Christian on Saturday, February 10. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.