by DENVER – Black Hills State University dominated the paint in a 75-65 win over Regis University in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon.
The Yellow Jackets scored 40 points in the paint to earn their first win at Regis in school history. With the win, Black Hills State improves to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the RMAC. Regis falls to 6-3, 2-3.
Four Yellow Jackets scored in double figures led by Chelsey Biegler (Cheyenne River Sioux) with 18 points. Dakota Barrie scored 13 points, Logan Cowan had 12 and Rachel Erickson added 10.
Cowan was 6-of-7 from the field with all 12 points scored in the paint. Barrie completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.
Holding a 26-24 lead with 4:08 remaining in the first half, the Yellow Jacket embarked on an 8-1 run to boost their lead to nine points at 34-35. Biegler scored all eight points in the run beginning with a layup.
Rachel Erickson then hit Biegler for a 3-point basket. For the final three points, Biegler was fouled while attempting a trey and sank all three proceeding free throws.
The Rangers fought back and pulled within two points at 38-36 at the intermission.
The two squads went toe-to-toe for the first 14 minutes of the second before the Yellow Jackets outscored the Rangers 15-5 over the final six minutes.
With the score knotted at 60-all, Jennie Scharn hit a layup to begin the Yellow Jacket run. The Green and Gold continued to hit its shots down the stretch including eight free throws.
Black Hills State improves to 4-0 when at least three players score in double figures and 2-0 with at least four with 10-plus points. Along with Biegler’s 18 points and 4-of-6 shooting, she was a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.
The Yellow Jackets shot 51.9 percent from the field, the first time this year topping 50 percent, while holding the Rangers to 35.7 percent. The Rangers were led by Bay’Lee Purdy with 19 points while Karlyn Johnson scored 13.
The Green and Gold also won the battle of the boards 40-36, led by Barrie with 10 rebounds. Johnson grabbed seven rebounds for Regis.
The Yellow Jackets now look towards the New Year when hosting Adams State on Friday, January 2. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. in the Young Center.
