SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Colorado Mesa women's basketball team put forth a strong effort after playing shorthanded for the second straight game but came up short in a 68-62 loss to the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets on Monday in a makeup game from a postponement earlier this month.
 
The Mavericks, playing their third game in four days, trailed by as many as 15 with 9:05 to play in the third quarter after a Black Hills State three-pointer by Ashley Davis to make it 43-28. Colorado Mesa grinded away at the lead and got it even at 60-60 with 1:30 to play in the fourth. But, the Yellow Jackets outscored the Mavericks 8-2 in the final minute that included two crucial turnovers.
 
Colorado Mesa made more field goals then Black Hills State 22-17 and outshot the Yellow Jackets 40.7 percent to 33.3 percent. Black Hills State's six three-point baskets to the Mavericks two was the difference.
 
Mariah Martin scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field. She added five rebounds and four assists while playing all 40 minutes of the contest.
 
Daniella Turner had 15 points while Kelsey Siemons finished with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
The Mavericks were looking to hand the Yellow Jackets their first loss in Spearfish but instead fall to 12-4 on the year and 7-4 in the conference.
 
Colorado Mesa will be back at home on Friday when they host Western Colorado rival Fort Lewis at 5:30pm in Brownson Arena.