GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The Black Hills State University women's basketball concluded the weekend with their second loss of the season, after falling to Colorado Mesa, 72-48, on Saturday night.
 
Morgan Ham led BHSU (9-2, 5-2 RMAC) with 11 points, while Raquel Wientjes followed with nine.  Katie Messler recorded seven rebounds to lead the Green and Gold.
 
The first quarter was a back and forth affair, until the Mavericks (10-1, 7-0 RMAC) broke away with a 9-0 run to lead the Yellow Jackets.  A layup by Katie Messler brought the score within six for the Green and Gold.  Unable to string together a successful run, the Yellow Jackets trailed Colorado Mesa, 33-20, at the break.
 
The Mavericks opened the second half with a three-pointer, but BHSU immediately responded with Julia Seamans making her only three of the game.  Colorado Mesa took a commanding lead to go up 20 points over Black Hills State.  The Yellow Jackets were unable to stop the Mavericks' momentum, as Colorado Mesa earned the conference victory.
 
Jaylyn Duran led the Mavericks with 31 points, making nine three-pointers.  Karina Brandon followed with 11 points, while Kelsey Siemons had eight.  Sydni Brandon brought down nine boards to lead the Mavericks.
 
Colorado Mesa shot 49.1 percent (28-for-57) from the floor, while BHSU shot 36.7 percent (18-49 from the field.  The Mavericks were 14-for-27 (51.9 percent) beyond the arc, while the Yellow Jackets were 6-for-16 (37.5 percent).  Colorado Mesa outrebounded the Green and Gold, 34-30. 
 
The Yellow Jackets will be back in action to take on Colorado Christian and Regis on January 11 and 12.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday against the Cougars, and 4 p.m. on Saturday against the Rangers.