Sandwiched between a string of road swings, Haskell Indian Nations University’s women’s basketball squad earned a hard-fought 70-59 victory Friday over Rhema Bible at Coffin Sports Complex.

“It was really important that we win here,” HINU coach Phil Homeratha said.

Despite being younger and smaller than Rhema, the Fightin’ Indians (4-5) used scoring spurts and fast breaks to pull away. Haskell pushed the ball with a bevy of players, namely sophomore guard Lucita Yesslith, sophomore forward Samantha Pete and freshman guard Amber Tecumseh.

“We’re young,” Homeratha said. “Every team we’ve played so far, the difference is they have juniors and seniors on the floor.”

The Eagles (3-4) led, 32-23, at halftime, and later by 15 points before Yesslith answered a four-minute HINU scoring drought with a layup. She posted 10 points in the ensuing seven minutes, finishing with a team-high 19 points.

Yesslith got Haskell back in the game; Jamie Frederick gave the Indians the lead. The sophomore forward provided a spark off the bench, racking up eight quick points to give Haskell a 50-49 advantage.

“I think she kind of picked us up,” Pete said of Frederick. “She was ready to play tonight.”

After Frederick’s run, Haskell converted five easy layups to ice the win.

“I think we had a lot more energy in the end,” Pete said. “They just got down and never picked up. When they did that, we just had to take it to them.”

Pete added 12 points, and junior guard Billie Gransen chipped in 11 for the Indians.

On a late scheduling change, Haskell will travel today to Lamoni, Iowa, to face Graceland University. The game originally was slated to be played at HINU.