Box Score Pueblo, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team fell to Black Hills State on Friday night by a score of 52-50 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals.
 
The Roadrunners were led by junior Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East H.S.) with 16 points.  Senior J'Nae Squires-Horton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sand Creek H.S.) was the only other Roadrunner in double-figures with 12 points. 
 
The first quarter began as a defensive battle.  After the first five minutes of play, MSU Denver held a 4-2 advantage over the Yellow Jackets.  MSU Denver was able to build a seven-point lead at the end of the quarter after Hartegan hit a jump shot.  The Roadrunners led 13-6 after the first quarter.
 
MSU Denver would build a nine-point lead in the second quarter.  However, Black Hills State would close the gap in the final 2:30 of the half going on a 6-0 run and bringing the game two within two.  The Roadrunners led at halftime 23-21.
 
The Roadrunners were able to build on their lead in the third quarter.  Another Hartergan jumper made the score 39-32 in favor of MSU Denver with 2:29 to go in the game.  A couple of back-and-forth exchanges made it 43-37 at the end of the third period.
 
The final period saw the Roadrunners lead continue to dwindle.  Junior Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East H.S.) scored what would be the Roadrunners final basket with 4:45 to go in the final quarter.  With just over a minute to go in the game, Black Hills State would convert a pair of free throws to take a 51-50 lead.  Hartegan would be unable to convert on a final shot and MSU Denver would fall in the game 52-50. 
 
MSU Denver will await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field on Sunday.  The NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show will air online on Sunday, March 4 at 8 p.m. MT on NCAA.com.