SPEARFISH, S.D. – For the second consecutive year, the Black Hills State University women's basketball team will compete in the RMAC Tournament. The Yellow Jackets are headed into the tournament as the eighth seeded team, and will face the first seed, Colorado Mesa, on Tuesday, March 5, in the quarterfinals. This is the Green and Gold's third post season appearance in the last four years. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. in Grand Junction, Colo.
THE GAME – Colorado Mesa Mavericks
» The Yellow Jackets and Mavericks will meet for the second time on the hardwood this season, when they play on Tuesday for the opening round of the RMAC Tournament. In their last matchup, Colorado Mesa defeated the Green and Gold, 72-48.
» The Mavericks finished as the RMAC Regular Season Champions and are the No. 1 seed in the RMAC Tournament after completing the regular season with a 20-2 conference record (23-3 overall).
» Colorado Mesa is led by Jaylyn Duran with a 18.4 points per game average, which is first in the RMAC. Duran also leads the RMAC in three-point field goals, averaging 3.1 per game. As a team, the Mavericks are allowing just 50.9 points per game, which is first in the league.
THE COACHES
» Black Hills State University head coach Mark Nore enters his 17th season with the Yellow Jackets and owns a 302-193 record. He is the all-time wins leader for the Yellow Jacket basketball team.
» Taylor Wagner heads into his seventh season as the head coach at Colorado Mesa. Wagner has a 164-40 overall record, and has made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including one Elite Eight
appearance.
Last Time Out
Black Hills State enters the RMAC Tournament with a 12-10 regular season record (16-10 overall), after falling to conference rival South Dakota Mines, 71-62.
Morgan Koepsell led the Yellow Jackets in the loss against the Hardrockers with 19 points, while Racquel Wientjes tallied 16. Koepsell and Wientjes each totaled five rebounds to lead the Green and Gold.
Mr. 300
On Feb. 16, head coach Mark Nore recorded his 300th victory as the Black Hills State women's basketball head coach in the Yellow Jackets' 85-57 victory over Chadron State. Nore is the winningest coach in the program's history.
RMAC All-Academic
Twelve Black Hills State University women's basketball team members were named to the RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll. To qualify for the RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically, using a year of eligibility, and hold a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
Share the Rock
Julia Seamans has averaged 3.0 assists per game this season. That is 10th in the conference. The senior's assist to turnover ratio of 1.4 is fifth in the RMAC, and 107th in the nation.
Knock It Down
Seamans is making 2.5 three-pointers a game to lead the Yellow Jackets, which is sixth in the conference, and tied for 67th nationally.
Pull It Down
Katie Messler leads the Yellow Jackets, averaging 6.2 rebounds per game, which is 14th in the RMAC.
Texas Hold 'Em
The Yellow Jackets are allowing just 61.6 points per game this year. That ranks eighth in the RMAC, and 72nd nationally.
Accuracy Wins
BHSU is eighth in the conference and 140th nationally in field goal percentage, making 40.7 percent of its shots from the field.
Shooters Gunna Shoot
The Green and Gold add a new season high with 35 field goals, in the game against New Mexico Highlands on Feb. 9.
Now Boarding
BHSU totaled a season high 21 offensive and 31 defensive rebounds against New Mexico Highlands, on Jan. 25, for a new season-high of 52 total boards.
Not Today
The Yellow Jackets tallied a season high seven blocks against Regis, on Jan. 12. The Green and Gold now stand in eighth in the conference with 2.8 blocks per game.
