CHADRON, Neb. – Black Hills State women's basketball concluded their 2022-23 regular season, defeating the Chadron State Eagles 60-49 to finish the season on a four-win streak. 
 
The Yellow Jackets' 22-6 campaign (78.6 percent) marks their best win-loss percentage since the 2009-10 season, where they finished the season 26-7 (78.8 percent). As of the end of the game on Thursday, BHSU holds the third seed in the RMAC at a 17-5 conference mark. 
 
Both teams played tough defense throughout the game: BHSU held 10 steals on the night and six blocks while CSC stole the ball six times and blocked twice, with both teams recording 16 and 17 turnovers, respectively. BHSU dominated in the paint, however, landing 35 defensive boards over 28 from the Eagles. A large 12-1 run at the end of the third quarter was enough for BHSU to hold off CSC, who held a 15-9 fourth quarter.
 
Danica Kocer and Niki Van Wyk shared the point lead for BHSU as each senior dropped 11 points against the Eagles. Kocer finished with three defensive boards and two assists while Van Wyk recorded six defensive rebounds an assist, and a steal.
 
Ellie Moore was a solid defender in the paint against the Eagles as she led the team with four blocks and three defensive boards. Moore also tallied seven points on 2-of-7 shooting and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. Kalla Bertram held the other two blocks for the Yellow Jackets, also snagging seven total rebounds while scoring seven of her own on the night.
 
The Eagles jumped on the board first to take the early lead, but an Engesser layup and triple put the Yellow Jackets out front, 5-4 to start. From there, BHSU took control of the game on an 8-3 charge to take a six-point lead. CSC was able to tally three more before the end, but an Alessia Capley layup drew a 15-10 scoreboard by the end of the first.
 
BHSU continued to keep up with CSC to maintain their lead, going neck and neck for much of the quarter. Key three-point shots from Engesser and Van Wyk down the stretch helped keep BHSU up 18-17 in the second quarter, allowing the Yellow Jackets to take their 33-27 lead to the locker room at halftime.
 
Danica Kocer buried a jumper to start the second half, but consecutive layups from the Eagles drew CSC closer at 35-31 at the 7:15 mark. The Yellow Jackets, however, continued to match with CSC to maintain their lead off two charity stripe points and a step-back jumper from Van Wyk. The senior's jump shot led to a 12-point run for the Yellow Jackets, putting them over CSC, 51-33, with 40 seconds left in the quarter. The Eagles were held to a single free throw for the rest of the quarter and were left facing a 17-point deficit in the final frame.
 
CSC screamed back into the game after opening the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run in the first half of the period, with Van Wyk breaking the silence with a three-pointer to set the score to 54-44. The Eagles continued to push, but five points from Kalla Bertram down the stretch kept CSC at bay, allowing for the Yellow Jackets to secure their 22^nd victory of the season at 60-49.
 
Up Next
The RMAC playoff tournament kicks off with the first round next week on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Yellow Jackets will host the number six seed in game four on Tuesday.