CCU took to the court on Friday night to take on Black Hills State University in a battle between two of the top teams in the RMAC. The close game was eventually won by the Yellow Jackets by a final score of 67-65. Both teams came into the game with identical 13-4 overall records, and they each were 10-3 in conference play. The game did not disappoint, as it was a back and forth battle throughout, but in the end, it was the Jackets edge from the three point line, and missed foul shots late by CCU which led to the outcome.
 
Black Hills State started the game on fire from the floor as five minutes into the game they had built themselves an early eight point lead by making 5-7 (71%) shots from the floor including two from downtown to give them the 12-4 lead. CCU settled down after that point and answered with a 17-4 run to finish out the first quarter and give them the lead heading into the second 21-16. BHSU had no answer for Kate Louthan and Ali Meyer, who finished with 16 of the teams 21 points in the quarter. Louthan was the leading scorer as she hit all four of her shots including one from beyond the arc to get her into double digits with 10. Meyer finished with six points on 2-3 from the floor and hit both shots she took from the free throw line.
 
 The second quarter began similar to the first, as the Yellow Jackets were hitting on their open looks and CCU was struggling to get any momentum going on the offensive end. Five minutes in, BHSU had retaken the lead by a score of 31-28. The Cougars did not have an answer like they did in the first quarter, as Black Hills stepped on the gas for the remainder of the period and took a 44-32 lead heading into halftime. They were able to outscore the Colorado Christian 28-11 in the second period helped in part because of their efficiency from beyond the three point line as they hit 6-13 (46%) from downtown compared to just 2-10 (20%) for the Cougars.
 
CCU finished the first half shooting 41% from the field and hit 4-5 from the free throw line. Kate Louthan was the leading scorer with 12 points followed closely by Meyer with eight. Meyer also led the team with six rebounds. A scary moment in the first half saw Taylor Torres go the floor after being fouled hard by a BHSU player. Torres left the game and was unable to return.
 
 Both coaches must have stressed defense during the break, as the third quarter was a defensive battle throughout. CCU held the Yellow Jacket offense in check as they only allowed five points the entire quarter while they were able to score 15 and cut the Black Hills lead down to just two points at 47-49.
 
As the fourth began, both teams exchanged early baskets. With just under eight minutes left in the game, Louthan grabbed an offensive board and was able to make a layup which tied the game at 51. The Cougars were able to grab the lead with around seven minutes left as Claire Paxton drained a jumper from the baseline. It was the first lead for CCU since early in the second quarter. With 2:34 remaining in the game BHSU was able to tie the score up with a free throw and both teams strapped themselves in for a fantastic finish. CCU took a lead by one with 1:27 left as Louthan was able to hit a free throw shot. The Yellow Jackets hit a three to give them a two point lead with just under a minute remaining. CCU grabbed a rebound off of a missed shot with seven seconds remaining and called a timeout. Down by two with seven seconds left, Kaitlyn Hinch drove the ball the court and dished it to Claire Paxton who put up a contested shot, which would have tied up the game, but unfortunately the shot rimmed out as time expired to give Black Hills the 67-65 victory.  
 
Colorado Christian finished the game shooting 39% from the floor, but were only able to hit on 2-14 (14%) shots from deep, and 15-25 (60%) from the foul line. They played well defensively, as they were able to hold BHSU to shooting just 37% from the field for the game and just 26% in the second half. The Cougars forced 14 Yellow Jacket turnovers, and finished the game with four blocked shots and seven steals.
 
Offensively, Colorado Christian finished with three players in double figures. Kate Louthan was the team's leading scorer as she finished with 17 points and was just one rebound shy of a double-double. Kaitlyn Hinch scored nine of her 13 points in the second and grabbed seven rebounds (three offensive). Ali Meyer rounded out the Cougars in double figures as she finished with a double-double scoring 13 points and secured a team high 13 rebounds.
 
Coach Darren Richie spoke about his team after the game, "Our girls did a fantastic job of fighting to get back into game after halftime, but unfortunately we missed a number of free throws late, and that ultimately cost us a chance to beat a good Black Hills State team."

On a positive note, Mikala Gordon was welcomed back to the floor with a big ovation from the home crowd. It was her first game action since injuring her knee early into the season last year.  

 
The loss drops the Cougars record to 13-5 on the season, and 10-4 in conference play. They will be back in action on Saturday night as they will be taking on South Dakota School of Mines at the CCU Event Center in Lakewood, CO. Tip is scheduled for 5PM MST.  

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