Spearfish, South Dakota – Head Coach Linda Raunig has reached another milestone in her career with win number 400 in tonight's battle at Black Hills State (10-8, 8-6 RMAC).  In the second straight weekend on the road and just one game behind the Yellow Jackets in conference play, the Regis University Ranger women's basketball knocked down late-game free throws improving to 12-6 overall and 8-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

RU began the beginning of the game well jumping out to a 10-7 lead after seven minutes of play.  A three-point basket by junior guard Jessica Ramos (Thornton, Colorado) at the 7:45 mark moved the Ranger lead to eight, 19-11. 

Black Hills would spend the remaining minutes before the break etching away at the score but Regis always responded until the Yellow Jackets finally came within one, 27-26, by knocking down a three of their own with just under three minutes left in the half.  The score would tie three times in the final minutes and RU headed into halftime down 33-31.

The Rangers opened up second half play going on an 8-0 run but the Yellow Jackets quickly recovered.  The lead would change four more times in the next four minutes with each team taking turns at holding a one or two point lead.  At the 13:28 mark, Black Hills held a four-point lead, 46-42, before both teams would experience a scoring drought for the next three minutes.

Junior guard Caresse Williams (Citrus Heights, California) would score the Rangers next eight points through a minute and a half stretch, two from the line and two huge three-pointers, to change ownership of the lead once again. 

In the final five minutes of play, the score would change five times and tie twice before junior guard Bay'lee Purdy (Agate, Colorado) stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to give the Rangers a three-point lead with 18 seconds left, 61-58.  Senior guard Erica Von Stein (Trafalgar, Indiana) finished the game off hitting one of two free throws with five to play. 

With almost identical statistical lines, the Rangers got it done at the line going 14-17 on the night.  RU converted 19 points off 21 turnovers but was outrebounded 40-30.  Purdy led Regis with 16 points.  Williams pitched in with 15 on 5-8 from the field and 2-3 from distance.  Sophomore forward Kaycee Hert (Spokane, Washington) added 11 points while shooting a perfect 6-6 from the line.  Von Stein dished out five assists. 

The Rangers have one game left on the road at Chadron State (4-13, 4-9 RMAC) Saturday, January 31 at 5:30 p.m.