SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University women's basketball team (6-4, 3-3 RMAC) battled the No. 22-ranked Grizzlies of Adams State University (11-3, 6-0 RMAC) in the first game out of the holiday break, pulling to within one-point in the third quarter, but would drop a 69-60 decision inside A2 Arena Friday night. The Yellow Jackets put up a season-best 20 offensive rebounds in the effort against a nationally-ranked opponent.
The opening frame saw the visiting Grizzlies shoot lights out from inside A2 Arena with a blistering 60.0% mark from the floor to open their largest lead of the game early on at nine points. Leading 13-6 early, the Yellow Jackets would work to claw their way back. Ultimately, with the hot shooting touch, it would be Adams State with the 21-12 advantage after the first quarter of play.
The nine-point Adams State lead following the first quarter would quickly evaporate in the second quarter as Black Hills State started the frame on a fast 9-0 run to draw even at 21-21 within the first four minute of the frame, thanks to a five-point swing from
Gracie Haneborg (Jr., North Platte, Neb.). From that point on the two teams kept up with each other to close out the half. Though never taking the lead in the quarter, the Yellow Jackets would not allow Adams State to build a lead larger than four with the Grizzlies taking a 35-31 lead into the break.
Early in the third quarter, the BH push would continue as back-to-back lay-ups from
Ellie Moore (Gr., Phoenix, Ariz.) and Haneborg would pull the Jackets to within two points at 37-35 two minutes into the half. A jumper from
Raven Cournoyer (Gr., Mission, S.D.) would pull BH to within one less than a minute later, but a seven-point run for the Grizzlies would extend their lead back out to eight points with under five to play in the frame. Late in the quarter, Adams State would pull away a bit more, taking their first double-digit lead of the contest and would lead by as many as 13 points to end the third, 54-41.
Heading into the final quarter, the Yellow Jackets would again look to put a run together to fight their way back. A three-pointer from
Jaylen Ostenson (Fr., Newcastle, Wyo.) would spark a five-point spurt to pull within six points at 58-52. But the Grizzlies would respond and keep BH at bay the rest of the way, as the Grizzlies extend their win streak up to eight-straight games with a 69-60 victory.
GAME NOTES
- The BH bench added 31 points in the effort, compared to the six from the Grizzlies' bench.
- Jaylen Ostenson led the team in scoring with her 13 points in her 24 minutes of action.
- Gracie Haneborg and Haylee Weathersby both also scored double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
- Weathersby shot 5-for-10 from the floor and also led the team with her eight rebound (seven offensive).
- Alessia Capley added seven rebounds in the effort, along with eight points.
- Morgan Hammerbeck paced the team with her three assists.
- Hammerbeck and Ellie Moore combined for five of the team's nine steals tonight, Hammerbeck with the team-high three.
- Moore also contributed a pair of blocks, tying her career-high that was also achieved at Colorado Mesa in 2021.
- Adams State shot 43.8% from the floor to BH's 33.9%.
- BH set a new season-high with 20 offensive rebounds; tying the season-high in the first half alone (15).
Up Next: The Yellow Jackets will square off with the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks tomorrow, Saturday, January 6 at 4:00 p.m. from A2 Arena inside the Donald E. Young Center.
