BHSU at a Glance: Entzi wins at Bauer XC Classic, women's hoops splits in Texas
SPEARFISH — As the fall sports season begins to wind down, the winter slate of men's and women's basketball is just getting started at Black Hills State University.
Within the Yellow Jackets' camp, there was plenty of action going on.
At the Bauer Cross Country Classic, held last Saturday at Hart Ranch, sophomore Norah Entzi, freshman Brynn Hillman and teammate Brooklyn Brooks were one, two and three, respectively. Sophomore harrier Caden Strasser and redshirt sophomore Wyatt Ostler also repped the green and gold at Hart Ranch.
The BHSU football team battled Colorado Mesa last Saturday at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, but fell short in a 23-13 contest. The Yellow Jacket volleyball team ran into trouble in their latest RMAC Power Pod, falling to New Mexico Highlands and Western Colorado this past weekend in Gunnison, Colorado.
At the D2CCA Tipoff Classic, held last weekend at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas, the Yellow Jackets stunned West Texas A&M but fell short against Lubbock Christian. Senior Kalla Bertram, who scored a buzzer beating layup against WTAMU, was also placed on the RMAC women's basketball preseason watch list this past Tuesday.
In women's soccer, BHSU capped their season with a 5-1 loss against Westminster on Nov. 1, before yielding a 4-0 setback against Regis this past Wednesday. Both matches took place at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex.
The men's basketball officially starts their season on Friday, when BHSU takes part in the Far West Texas Showdown at the Gallego Center in Alpine, Texas. There, the Yellow Jackets will go up against UT-Tyler on Friday, before taking on host Sul Ross State on Sunday.
On Monday, senior guard Caelin Hearne was named to the RMAC men's basketball preseason watch list.
The following are recaps from the recent stretch of BHSU athletics.
Entzi tops the field at Bauer XC Classic
Gearing up for the NCAA Division II Cross Country South Central Regional, set for Saturday at Washington Park in Denver, the Black Hills State cross country teams had a nice tune-up race.
Taking part in the Bauer XC Classic, which took place last Saturday at Hart Ranch, the runners in green and gold enjoyed some success.
Winning the women's race was sophomore Norah Entzi, who clocked a time of 25:05.1. It was Entzi's first career victory.
Aiding in the top three sweep was freshman Brynn Hillman (second, 25:50.2) and teammate Brooklyn Brooks (third, 26:19.4), while freshman Kadence Baun rounded out the top five (fifth, 28:13.4). These finishes are each runner's first top five placements.
Sophomore Caden Strasser finished fourth overall in the men's race, clocking a time of 27:09.1. The race was Strasser's career best, and first top five finish.
Redshirt sophomore Wyatt Ostler went seventh with a time of 27:18.6. This was Ostler's second career top 10 finish.
Up next is the South Central Regional meet, scheduled for 10 a.m. for the men and for 11:15 a.m. for the women.
Yellow Jackets win on Bertram's buzzer beater
The beginning of the season had some dramatics for the Black Hills State women's basketball team, who are under the watchful eye of first year head coach Rachel Erickson.
In their season opener, which pitted the Yellow Jackets against host West Texas A&M as part of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic on Nov. 1 at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas, senior Kalla Bertram sunk a buzzer beat to take a 57-55 win over the Lady Buffs.
Before the clock struck all zeroes, Bertram scored a driving layup to lift BHSU to victory.
This past Sunday, BHSU couldn't quite capture the same magic, falling 73-66 to Lubbock Christian at the First United Bank Center.
With the split, the Yellow Jackets moved to 1-1 overall.
At 6 p.m. on Friday at the Donald E. Young Center, BHSU will face Minot State for their home opener. The Beavers are currently 1-2 overall, dropping contests to Union University (Tennessee) and Findlay (Ohio) but defeating Texas A&M International in Billings, Montana.
Along with the game winning bucket, Bertram pulled down nine rebounds against WTAMU. Senior Haylee Weatherby led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points, while freshman Bradie Schlabs had four assists.
Against the Lady Chaps, freshman Maureen Ulrich paced BHSU with 23 points. Bertram reeled in 11 boards, and Schlabs picked up five assists.
BHSU falls short against Colorado Mesa
In four of the past five weeks, the Black Hills State football team has been in some tight contests.
In their latest matchup was again another battle, before the Yellow Jackets fell to Colorado Mesa in a 23-13 final score in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup held last Saturday at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Despite getting within seven at 14-7, the Mavericks used a 46-yard touchdown run and a safety to create a 23-7 gap. BHSU scored a touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game, but couldn't come out with a miracle on the road.
The Yellow Jackets dipped down to 4-5 overall with a 3-4 record in the RMAC. Colorado Mesa improved to 6-1 in conference play and 7-2 overall.
The Yellow Jackets will have a chance to return to even keel, bringing Adams State for Senior Day. The RMAC contest is set for 1 p.m. at Lyle Hare Stadium.
The Grizzlies are currently 0-9, 0-7 in the RMAC, following a 27-17 loss against Fort Lewis College at Rex Stadium in Alamosa, Colorado.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kade Weber came in to relieve redshirt junior Luke Duby, going 14-of-21 for 85 yards and touchdown. Weber also rushed for 50 yards and another touchdown.
Redshirt sophomore Charlie Bump caught three passes for 27 yards, followed by 25 yards on four catches from junior running back Cameron Goods. Defensively, redshirt senior Nicc Quinones tallied nine total tackles, and redshirt sophomore Beto Ledezma had one forced fumble.
New Mexico Highlands, Western Colorado sink Yellow Jackets
Nearing the final stretch of the regular season, the Black Hills State volleyball team is trying to capture a late season groove. However, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is no walk in the park.
Facing off against New Mexico Highlands and Western Colorado in a RMAC Pod held last weekend at the Paul Wright Gymnasium in Gunnison, Colorado, the Yellow Jackets couldn't quite steal a win from the road trip.
BHSU fell to the Cowgirls, 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 12-15) in a rematch from Oct. 26 on Nov. 1. The Yellow Jackets then yielded a 3-0 (11-25, 21-25, 18-25) setback against Western Colorado last Saturday.
With those two setbacks, the green and gold are currently 5-17 overall with a 1-9 conference record.
The road stretch continues for BHSU, as they will take on Chadron State (4-18, 0-10 RMAC) at 6 p.m. at the Chicoine Center in Chadron, Neb. At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets will challenge Colorado Christian (14-8, 6-4 RMAC) at the CCU Event Center in Lakewood, Colorado.
Redshirt freshman Carsyn Mettler led the way for BHSU against New Mexico Highlands, recording 15 kills. Junior libero Ellie Thomas tallied 31 digs, and teammate Sydnie Tuioti-Mariner accumulated 48 assists.
Redshirt junior Randi Wellhoefer picked up five blocks.
Against the Mountaineers, graduate student Abigail Renner recorded 14 digs and six kills. Tuitoi-Mariner collected 20 assists and Wellhoefer came away with four blocks.
BHSU can't overcome Westminster, Regis at home
The season has come to a close for the Black Hills State women's soccer team, who wrapped up the regular season slate this past Wednesday.
On Nov. 1, the Yellow Jackets came up short in a 5-1 decision against Westminster. On Wednesday, BHSU fell to Regis by way of 4-0 outcome.
Both matches were held at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex.
By dropping their final two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference fixtures, the Yellow Jackets tumbled to 3-11-4 overall with a 3-8-1 conference record. BHSU did not qualify for the RMAC Women's Soccer Championship tournament.
In the loss against Westminster, freshman midfielder Tea Whitlock scored the Yellow Jackets' lone goal. Junior Jayda Hammer supplied the assist, while senior goalkeeper Makayla Dannelly had nine saves.
Within the season finale, Dannelly recorded five saves.
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