PUEBLO, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball team showed grit and resilience Wednesday night at Massari Arena, battling back from an early deficit before falling to Black Hills State, 60–48, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.
Black Hills State set the tone early, capitalizing on transition opportunities and second-chance points to jump out to a 26–7 lead after the opening quarter. The Yellow Jackets' quick start put CSU Pueblo on its heels, but the ThunderWolves never lost their composure and began to chip away as the game progressed.
The Pack responded in the second quarter with improved defensive pressure and more purposeful offense. CSU Pueblo held Black Hills State to just five points in the frame, stringing together stops and turning defense into offense. A three-pointer from Seneya Martinez ignited an 8–2 ThunderWolves run midway through the quarter, and CSU Pueblo continued to claw back, cutting the deficit to 31–20 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, the ThunderWolves carried that momentum into the third quarter. Martinez knocked down another three early, and a bucket from Dasani Nesbit helped trim the lead to single digits at 35–27. CSU Pueblo continued to threaten, pulling within eight on multiple occasions as the defense forced tough looks and contested rebounds in the paint. Despite the Pack's push, Black Hills State answered with timely baskets to maintain a 47–34 advantage heading into the final period.
CSU Pueblo refused to go away in the fourth quarter. The ThunderWolves once again made a run, opening the frame with strong ball movement and attacking the rim. Back-to-back scores brought the deficit down to 11, and CSU Pueblo continued to apply pressure defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting second chances. Each time the Pack looked poised to make a push, Black Hills State responded with key shots to halt the momentum.
Martinez led the ThunderWolves with 19 points, knocking down four three-pointers and providing a spark on both ends of the floor. CSU Pueblo outscored Black Hills State 28–26 in the second half, showcasing the team's ability to adjust, compete, and fight back against one of the conference's top squads.
The Pack are back in action on Saturday as CSU Pueblo returns to Massari Arena to host Chadron State College in RMAC play. The matchup will also feature a familiar face on the opposing sideline, as Jalen Little makes his return to Pueblo after spending five seasons as an assistant with the ThunderWolves. Tipoff is set for Saturday night as the Pack looks to build on its resilience and second-half momentum in front of the home crowd.
