Denver - The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team defeated Black Hills State on Saturday 62-56.  The Roadrunners advance to 13-14 overall and 11-10 in the RMAC while the Yellow Jackets fall to 19-6 overall and 16-5 in the RMAC. 

The Roadrunners were led in scoring by sophomore Hannah Stipanovich (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton H.S.) with 16 points.  She was followed by junior Jenae Paine (Oregon City, Ore./Oregon City H.S.) with 14 points and Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East H.S.) with 11 points.   MSU Denver was led in rebounds by sophomore Georgia Ohrdorf (Wollongong, Australia/St. Mary Star of the Sea College) with eight.

MSU Denver out-shot Black Hills State 39.6 percent to 28.3 percent.  The Roadrunners held the Yellow Jacket to 5-of-25 from three-point range. 

In the first quarter, the Roadrunners fell behind 8-7 before going on a 6-0 run capped by a pair of free throws by sophomore Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East H.S.) making the score 13-8 with 2:20 to play in the period.  Black Hill State would respond with an 8-0 run.  Stipanovich would hit a layup to close the quarter and the Roadrunners held a 18-16 lead.

The Roadrunners held Black Hills State without a field goal for nearly three minutes in the second quarter.  MSU Denver held its lead for the first six minutes of play until Black Hills State scored a three-pointer with 4:29 remaining in the half.  The Roadrunners battled back ended the half with a lead of 35-32.

In the third quarter, there were six lead changes between the Roadrunners and the Yellow Jackets as well as three ties.  The two teams ultimately ended the quarter tied at 47-47. 

The Yellow Jackets took the lead early in the fourth quarter 50-47.  After a tie in the fourth minute of the quarter the Roadrunners took the lead and never gave it back.  MSU Denver would knock down four free throws in the final minute of the game to secure the win.

The Roadrunners will close out the regular season when they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. to compete against UCCS on Friday, February 24.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.