GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Mesa Mavericks (24-3, 20-2) defeated Black Hills State University 56-49 in the quarterfinal game of the 2019 RMAC/ Under Armour Women's Basketball Tournament Friday night in Brownson Arena. After this win the Mavericks will host the remainder of the tournament in Brownson Arena on Friday and Saturday.
After being named RMAC Player of the Year earlier that afternoon Jaylyn Duran led the Mavs with 18 points, all of which came in the second half.
Sydni Brandon who was named First Team All-RMAC earlier today recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. She stole the ball six times tonight which was also a career-high and went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line for her best free-throw shooting performance of her career.
Off the bench Natalie Bartle was good for ten points and three assists. She hit two three-pointers in tonight's win.
The Mavericks shot 30.2 percent (16-of-53) from the field and 27.3 (6-of-22) percent from the three-point line. From the charity stripe the Mavs went 18-of-21 for a 85.7 shooting percentage.
The Yellow Jackets had no scorers with double-digits and they shot 37.0 percent (17-of-46) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-of-18) from three-point range and 83.3 percent (10-of-12) from the line.
The Mavericks did not score until the 4:37 mark in this first quarter when Karina Brandon hit a field goal, but by that point the Yellow Jackets held a 5-2 lead. Later on Natalie Bartle hit a three to tie the game 10-10, but BHSU held a 13-12 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Karina Brandon hit the opening shot of the second quarter to give the Mavericks their first lead of the game 14-13, but the Yellow Jackets hit back-to-back three pointers as an answer. The Mavs got within one point after the Yellow Jackets extended their lead but they still trailed by two at the half, 24-26.
The Mavericks scored eight straight points coming out of the locker room to take a 32-28 lead. The Yellow Jackets answered with an 8-1 run to give themselves a 36-33 lead entering the fourth quarter.
There were three lead changes and two ties during the final quarter and Colorado Mesa did not get a comfortable lead until 4:31 remaining in regulation when they led 47-41. Black Hills got back within three points but the Mavericks hit two field goals to extend their lead and they shot well enough from the free-throw line to hold a 56-49 lead at the end of the game.
RMAC Tournament
As the top seed the Mavericks will host the two semifinal games of the RMAC/ Under Armour Tournament on Friday night and the Championship game on Saturday. No. 1 Colorado Mesa will play No. 4 Colorado School of Mines in the first game on Friday night at 5:30 pm in Brownson Arena. This game will be followed by No. 2 Westminster and No. 6 Regis who will play at 7:30 pm.
The winner of these two game will advance to the Championship game on Saturday at 6 pm.
For a look at the updated bracket click the link above.
