SPEARFISH, S.D. – MSU Denver controlled much of the middle two quarters, but was outscored 38-18 in the first and last periods and dropped a 66-54 decision at Black Hills State on Saturday in the regular-season finale for women's basketball.
 
Black Hills State, which also outscored the Roadrunners 19-9 in the fourth quarter, held a 19-9 lead after the first period. The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 15-2 lead and held a 32-15 advantage with 2:32 left in the first half before settling for a 34-22 lead at the break.
 
"The first quarter just killed us," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "That was the ball game, because the rest of it was pretty close. We didn't handle their pressure and, I know it sounds like a broken record – but it's turnovers, not taking care of the ball, being careless – we've got to go a better job.
 
"And we can't continue to start slow. We did Friday (in a win at Chadron State) and we did again tonight. We have to come out more ready to play."
 
MSU Denver got back into the game by opening the third quarter with a 12-4 run to get within 38-34 and cut the deficit to 47-45 at the end of the third period on a three-point play by Tosjanae Bonds.
 
Then the Roadrunners tied the game on Jaela Richardson's basket on their first possession of the fourth quarter, but Black Hills State bounced back with a 10-2 run to lead 57-49 with 4:58 to play.
 
"We tied it at 47, but I just think it was too much to overcome," Haave said. "We couldn't get a couple of scores and that started to take its toll. We had three or four empty possessions and then they pulled ahead."
 
MSU Denver was unable to get closer than six points the rest of the way, the last time on two Alex Carlton free throws with 55 seconds left. Black Hills State hit six free throws in the final 51 seconds to put the game on ice.
 
Richardson led MSU Denver with 11 points and five rebounds, while Morgan Griego added 10 points, eight boards and four assists. Carlton scored nine.
 
The Roadrunners had 16 turnovers, which Black Hills State turned into 16 points. MSU Denver scored six point on 10 turnovers by the Yellow Jackets.
 
MSU Denver dropped to 19-8 overall and 15-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners will be on the road Tuesday for a first-round game in the RMAC Tournament.