SPEARFISH, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team nearly pulled off an exciting comeback against long-time rival Black Hills State Saturday afternoon during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup at the Young Center in Spearfish, S.D., but the Hardrockers just ran out of time as the Lady Yellow Jackets escaped with a 61-57 win.

The Lady 'Rockers got off to a slow start while BHSU was red hot from the field as the home team outscored SD Mines, 21-7, in the first quarter and kept the heat on in the second period going into halftime with a 16-point edge, 38-22.

The Hardrockers were much improved in the second half, chipping away at BHSU's advantage. In the third quarter, the visitors outscored the Yellow Jackets, 17-11, and trailed by 10 points, 49-38, heading into the final frame. SD Mines mounted a valiant charge, cashing in for 18 points while the defense held BHSU to 12 markers, but just couldn't get over the hump as time expired.

It was an important game for both squads with RMAC post-season aspirations on the line. The Yellow Jackets got a little closer to their goal improving to 9-14 on the season and 9-10 in the conference to hold on to the No. 8 seed in the RMAC tournament. The Hardrockers drop to 10-14 on the year and 8-11 in the conference and slip to the No. 10 spot in the league.

In Saturday's game, the Hardrockers finished shooting 40 percent from the field making good on 21-52 attempts (5-14 from the three-point line) and were 10-19 from the free throw line. SD Mines tallied 33 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and two blocks.

The Yellow Jackets hit 20-51 attempts for 39 percent shooting from the field (5-22 from behind the arc) and were 16-20 from the foul line. BHSU recorded 35 rebounds, 14 assists, six steals and four blocks.

Individually for the Hardrockers, sophomore Taylor Molstad posted 19 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal while freshman Anna Haugen tacked on 13 markers, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Senior Megan Rohrer, freshman Sami Steffeck and freshman Cooper Courtney all contributed with seven points.

BHSU was led in scoring by Rachel Erickson with 18 points, Cheyanne Balster added 16 points and Sierra Toms put up 11 points.

Next up SD Mines travels to Gunnison, Colo., Saturday to face Western State in a 5 p.m. game.