TUMWATER — It took an extra four minutes, but Black Hills was able to overcome a slow start and defeat Hoquiam 70-59 on Tuesday to remain undefeated.

Black Hills trailed by as much as nine in the second quarter, but the Wolves rallied to take a three-point lead into halftime.

“They’re big, they’re very physical, and they punched us in the mouth,” Black Hills coach Herb Guscott said. “I liked the way the kids just preserved.”

The second half was just as tight as the first. The Wolves began to have more success inside, while Hoquiam was able to hit a few threes to keep within striking distance in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies went back inside, and a late flurry gave them a three-point lead with just over a minute to play.

Tyler Venable had already scored 19 points on the night heading into those final 60 seconds, and she hit a late three-pointer to send the game to OT.

In the extra frame, she hit two more threes and scored eight of Black Hills’ 13 points. She finished with an even 30 points, including four threes, while also dishing out four assists.

“That was huge,” Guscott said. “Tyler has been struggling, so this was a big game for her to come back. It showed how strong she is mentally.”

Natalie Buchanan added 15 points, six rebounds, and five steals, and Kiley McMahon scored 13 points. Ellie Johnson led the team on the boards with 14 rebounds, and she also scored eight points and blocked a pair of shots.

“That’s our best win of the year so far,” Guscott said. “We beat a really good team … I’m proud of them.”

The Wolves will have the next 10 days off before returning on Dec. 28 to host Onalaska. They’ll then host River Ridge and head to Rainier for their first two games of the new year before beginning league play on Jan. 7 in Shelton.

Black Hills only has one player listed at 5’ 10” or taller, and Guscott acknowledged that the team doesn’t have as much depth as other teams in the state. That being said, though, he added that he’s been extremely proud of what he’s seen so far, and he has high hopes moving forward.

“We’ve got enough talent to go in and do something that’s really, really good,” Guscott said. “I really believe that.”