Yellow Jackets Too Much for Cowgirls

Spearfish, SD- The New Mexico Highlands University Women's Basketball team fell toBlack Hills State University Yellow Jackets by a score of 44-79. Your Cowgirls are now 2-9 overall and 1-7 RMAC.
 
First Quarter: The Cowgirls got off to a good start as Sophomore Ida Valencia nailed a 3 to get them on the board. They went on a 6-0 run, including 4 points from Sophomore Kaylani Maiava, to give them the early 9-4 lead. After this, the Yellow Jackets were able to hit three 3's to close the quarter with the 19-15 lead over the Cowgirls.
 
Second Quarter: The Yellow Jackets did not take their foot off of the pedal as they sunk two more 3's to open the second quarter of play. They also played smothering defense as they kept the Cowgirls off of the scoreboard until a little more than seven minutes came off of the clock. Junior Kaelin Shaffer would be the one to hit a basket to stop the bleeding for a moment. They managed only 7 points in the quarter, 6 of which belonged to Shaffer.
 
Third Quarter: Freshmen Ari Baca was able to jumpstart the Cowgirls with an early jumper. Shaffer would then hit two straight jumpers to cut down the deficit to 28-42. Junior Shania Ratliff came away with her second steal of the night and converted it into a layup on the other side of the court. However, the Yellow Jackets responded with a 14-0 run, putting the Cowgirls in a 30-58 hole with the fourth quarter looming.
 
Fourth Quarter: The Yellow Jackets scored the first 6 points of the quarter before Ratliff could score a basket of her own to halt the run. Later on, Shaffer was able to convert on two free throws to bring the score to 41-72. The Cowgirls would only be able to score 3 more points, by way of Junior Mele Tupouata.
 
Final Score: Cowgirls-44 Yellow Jackets-79
 
The Cowgirls have a short turnaround as they play the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers on January 7^th at 3:30 p.m.
 
Live Stats and Broadcasting will be available online!
 
Go Cowgirls!