RAPID CITY, S.D. – In a night plagued by poor shooting the Yellow Jackets were not able to overcome an early deficit against the Hardrockers and fell 50-66. The Yellow Jackets missed their first layup of the night which turned into a defensive rebound and 3 points by the Hardrockers to start the game which set the tone for the night.
At the end of the first quarter the Yellow Jackets were down by four and fighting hard for every point. After a hard fought second quarter the Jackets were able to pull within 3 with 6 minutes left in the half before the Hardrockers outscored the Jackets 3-11 in the final five minutes of play before the half setting the score at 38-26 Rockers.
The Yellow Jackets were looking for offensive answers heading into the second half which they would not find. Unable to hit a groove for the remainder of the game the Jackets would be unable to pull within 10 of the Hardrockers at any point throughout the second half. The final score of the game would be 50-66.
Leading the Jackets offensively was senior Racquel Wientjes who was the only double digit scorer of the night recording 22 points and earning her 1,000th career point as a Yellow Jacket.
Defensively Megan Engesser was able to pull in 5 boards with Morgan Ham, Katie Messler, and Ashley Davis close behind each pulling in 4 of their own. Wientjes forced 5 turn overs on the night with Ashlee Beacom close behind forcing 4 of her own.
As a team the Yellow Jackets shot 18-of-57 from the field (31.6%) and 7-of-23 from beyond the arc (30.4%). The team shot 87.5% from the charity stripe making 7-of-8 baskets.
