by CHADRON, Neb.—Black Hills State University enters their first road contest of the 2015 portion of the schedule riding a four-game winning streak. This was the first matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Chadron State College this season and there was no better opponent to extend the winning streak on as the Eagles have struggled to a 2-10 record entering the contest.
Both of the Eagles’ wins this season came against Adams State University and Western State.
The Yellow Jackets have seen their fare share of success against the Eagles in recent memory. They defeated the Eagles 89-45 and 73-54 last season. That trend continued Saturday evening as the Yellow Jackets took care of the Eagles 78-69.
The Yellow Jackets improve to 9-4, 7-2 RMAC while Chadron State falls to 2-11, 2-7 RMAC. The Yellow Jackets extend their winning streak to five games.
The Yellow Jackets controlled the tempo of the game from the get-go and Bailey Kusser was a big reason why. She sunk a three-pointer to open the game to give the Yellow Jackets a 3-0 lead at 19:44 of the first half. She also chipped in a layup to give the Yellow Jackets a 10-6 lead at 16:31 of the first half.
Taylor Trohikimoinen gave the Yellow Jackets comfort at 12:58 of the first half with a three-pointer to extend their lead to 17-8. However, that’s as much breathing room the Yellow Jackets got in the first half as the Lions mounted a comeback.
Emma Block proved to be a thorn in the Yellow Jacket’s side down the stretch in the first half. She narrowed the Yellow Jacket lead to 22-21 with 8:09 left in the first half with a layup and three-pointer.
A Kate Simonston layup put the Eagles ahead 23-22, but the lead didn’t last long. Chelsey Biegler (Cheyenne River Sioux)helped regain the Yellow Jacket lead to seven when she hit a jump shot, then made the ensuing free throw to make the score 36-29 with 2:07 left in the first half. The Yellow Jackets took a 38-31 lead into halftime.
The Yellow Jackets didn’t look back an inch from the start of the second half. Back-to-back field goals, a layup and three-pointer, by Biegler gave the Yellow Jackets breathing room by extending their lead to 46-38 at 15:52 of the first half.
Courtney Patterson gave the Yellow Jackets their largest lead of the game at that point with 10:34 left in the second half when she nailed a three-pointer to make the score 59-48.
The reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week also added offensive flair down the stretch for the Yellow Jackets. Dakota Barrie poured salt on the Eagles’ wound with a layup and a pair of free throws to give the Yellow Jackets a comfortable 69-54 lead with 5:21 left in the game.
The Eagles never got within eight points of the Yellow Jackets during the final five minutes of the contest.
Biegler led the Yellow Jackets with 25 points while finishing 10-of-15 on field goals. She also went 3-of-4 from the three-point line.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Friday, Jan. 16 when they travel to Western New Mexico University. Game time is at 5:30 p.m.
