Billings, Mont.  – Freed-Hardeman (33-4) defeated the Montana Western Bulldogs (27-9) 61-50 in the semifinals of the 2018 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championships presented by Wells Fargo.

Freed-Hardeman used a fast start offensively and stingy defense to defeat the Montana Western Bulldogs. The Lady Lions held the Bulldogs to just 6 points, and forced 8 turnovers in the opening 10 minutes of play.

The Bulldogs answered with a strong second quarter. They started to make shots and take care of the ball. Point guard Brianna King hit her stride in the quarter and finished with 16 first half points to help UMW cut into the Lion lead and trail by just four entering the break.

The Bulldogs had numerous chances to tie the game early in the third. But shots wouldn't fall and Freed-Hardmann's defense came out of the locker room locked in forcing more Bulldog turnovers. Once again holding the Bulldogs to just 6 points in the third quarter.

???????Sandrea Sylman paced the Lions with 24 points, 4 steals, and 3 assists. She made key baskets every time Montana Western tried to make a push to get back into the game. She hit the clinching 3-point shot with just under four minutes remaining to give the Lions a 12 point lead and put the game away.
King, coming off a 40 point performance, did her best to keep Bulldogs close. King scored 22 points and dished out 4 assists. Britt Cooper added 12 rebounds and Cierra Lamey scored 10 points and 8 rebounds.

???????Freed-Hardeman's defense forced 17 turnovers. The Lions finished the game with 12 steals.

The loss ends a Historic season for Montana Western. The Bulldogs advanced the national semifinals for the first time in school history.

"If you would have told me that we would be playing in the semifinals earlier in the year I would have told you you were crazy." Said head coach Lindsay Woolley.

The loss brings a close to the careers of six seniors: Dani Baker, Frankie Bignell, Sierra Bignell, Jill Jacobs, Theresa Mac-Dangosu, and Alexa Welch. "Our seniors are incredible," said Woolley, "I'm proud of them. They bought into what we were doing, and they will be remembered as one of the best teams in school history."