SPEARFISH, SD. – In a game that came down to the last minute the Colorado Mesa Maverick women's basketball team defeated Black Hills State University, 65-64 Saturday night in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup. The Mavericks improved to 11-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play following Saturday's contest.
After this weekend the Mavericks remain as the only undefeated team in conference.
For the seventh time this season Daniella Turner led the Mavs in scoring. The Boca Raton, Fla native recorded 21 points (9-of-14). This game was her sixth 20-point performance in the conference season.
Kelsey Siemons followed with 17 points (6-of-8) and three rebounds which all occurred on the defense end. Five of her six field goals came from the three-point line which was a season high for the Tucson, Ariz. native.
Sydni Brandon recorded 11 points (2-of-7) and a five rebounds to go along with her team-high three assists. She was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Three of which she made in the last 30 seconds.
The Mavericks shot 45.1 percent (23-of-51) from the field and 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from the three-point line. CMU went 11-of-15 from the charity stripe which was good enough for 73.3 percent.
After a back-and-fourth battle the Mavericks held a 14-12 lead after the first quarter and had extended their lead to double-digits by halftime, 37-26.
To begin the third quarter the Yellow Jackets knocked down two three balls to cut their deficit to seven, but were answered by a pair of free throws from Brandon and a three-pointer from Kylyn Rigsby. After, BHSU outscored the Mavs 10-2 to cut the Mavericks lead to four, 46-42, at the 4:28 mark of third quarter. Siemons knocked down a three ball to extend the lead back to seven and buckets were exchanged until the Mavs held a 54-44 lead entering the final quarter.
Elly Walters knocked down a three pointer to begin the fourth quarter, but a technical foul was issued to CMU at the 7:25 mark which struck a four point swing in favor of the Yellow Jackets, 56-48. Siemons answered with a three-pointer at the 6:35 tick. After that the Mavs were outscored 12-2, but never gave up a lead as CMU led 61-60 with 32 seconds remaining. Brandon went one-of-two from the free-throw line to hold a two point advantage with less than 30-seconds remaining and was followed by a free-throw from Tuner to extend the lead to three.
The Yellow Jackets knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game, 63-63, with 17 seconds remaining. After being fouled, Brandon knocked down a pair of free throws with ten seconds to play to take a 65-63 lead, but then fouled Niki Van Wyk of BHSU. The Mavericks avoided overtime as Van Wyk scored her first attempt, but missed the second. CMU secured the rebound to hold off the Yellow Jackets, 65-64.
The Yellow Jackets were led by Raquel Wientjes who recorded 25 points (8-of-12) and six defensive rebounds.
The Mavericks were outscored in both the third and fourth quarter, but were able to hold off the Yellow Jackets for their ninth consecutive victory.
Up Next
The Mavericks will return home next weekend for games against New Mexico Highlands and Colorado State University – Pueblo on Jan 10 and 11 respectively. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 pm on Friday and Saturday night.
