SPEARFISH, S.D. – Unable to complete a comeback, the Yellow Jackets fell to CSU-Pueblo, 68-58, Saturday evening to conclude January competition.
 
Morgan Ham led Black Hills State (11-6, 7-6 RMAC) with 15 points, while Racquel Wientjes followed with 11, and Julia Seamans had 10.  Katie Messler brought down six boards and had seven assists to lead the Green and Gold.
 
With a back-and-forth affair in the first quarter, neither team was able to set a substantial lead. In the final three minutes of the quarter, the Thunderwolves (11-8, 9-4 RMAC) used a 10-1 run to lead the Yellow Jackets, 17-5.  A three-point shot by Julia Seamans brought the game within five before CSU-Pueblo took a 28-21 lead to end the half.
 
The Thunderwolves added to their lead to open the second half, but was immediately responded by the Yellow Jackets with a layup to bridge the gap.  CSU-Pueblo used another successful run to take command of the game to push the lead to 15. BHSU strung together a 15-2 run to bring the score to 60-57, in favor of CSU-Pueblo.  With 50 seconds left to play in the game, five straight free-throws secured the Thunderwolves' win.
 
Five CSU-Pueblo players tallied double-figure scoring, led by Jennah Knafelc with 17 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Thunderwolves shot 52.2 percent (24-for-46) from the field, while the Yellow Jackets shot 32.3 percent (21-for-65) from the floor.  CSU-Pueblo was 3-for-8 from beyond the arc, while BHSU was 6-for-20 (30.0 percent).  The Green and Gold shot 76.9 percent (10-for-13) from the charity stripe, while the Thunderwolves shot 70.8 percent (17-for-24).  CSU-Pueblo outrebounded BHSU, 39-32.
 
Black Hills State will continue conference play, hosting Chadron State and MSU Denver on February 1 and 2.  Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m., against the Eagles on Friday, and 4 p.m., on Saturday against the Roadrunners.