The fourth-ranked and undefeated University of Montana Western Bulldogs will open the 2019 conference schedule on the road up north when they face MSU-Northern in Havre, Mont. and No. 13 University of Providence in Great Falls, Mont. on Jan 4 and 5.  

The Bulldogs So Far

• The Bulldogs are 11-0 overall and 2-0 in Frontier Conference play. 
• The Bulldogs are ranked fourth in the nation, their highest ranking since Dec. 2006. 
• The Bulldogs offense is ninth in the nation averaging 82.8 points a game. 
• The Bulldogs came off two huge wins at the Green and Gold Classic in Billings, Mont. 103-56 over Dickinson State and 79-40 over The King's University.
• Paige Holmes scored 14 and 19 points. 
• Brianna King scored 26 and 20 points and was named Frontier Conference Player of the Week. She won the award for the second straight week and third time this season. 

National Rankings

• The Bulldogs rank:
• Number 1 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (10.727)
• Number 1 in Division I in Scoring Defense per Game (44.909)
• Number 1 in Division I in Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.636)
• Number 1 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.211)
• Number 2 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.392)
• Number 2 in Division I in Scoring Margin (37.909)
• Number 3 in Division I in Total Rebound Defense (30.455)
• Number 3 in Division I in Turnover Margin (10.727)
• Number 3 in Division I in Field Goal Pct (0.484)
• Number 4 in Division I in Assists per Game (19.182)
• Number 5 in Division I in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.329)
• Number 8 in Division I in Total 3-Pt FG Made (118)
• Number 9 in Division I in Scoring Offense per Game (82.818)
• Number 11 in Division I in Steals per Game (13.364)
• Number 13 in Division I in Free Throw Pct (0.734)
• Number 16 in Division I in Total Assists (211)
• Number 18 in Division I in Total Rebound Margin (7.727)
• Number 20 in Division I in Total Steals (147)
• Savanna Bignell Ranks Number 4 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.516)
• Brianna King Ranks Number 6 in Division I in Points per Game (21.000)
• Tori Anderson Ranks Number 6 in Division I in Assist/Turnover Ratio (3.429)
• Cierra Lamey Ranks Number 7 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.486)
• Paige Holmes Ranks Number 9 in Division I in Assist/Turnover Ratio (3.125)
• Brianna King Ranks Number 12 in Division I in Steals per Game (3.091)
• Brianna King Ranks Number 16 in Division I in Total Scoring (231)
• Brianna King Ranks Number 17 in Division I in Total Steals (34)
• Brianna King Ranks Number 21 in Division I in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (2.545)
• Cierra Lamey Ranks Number 21 in Division I in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.500)

Who to Watch

• Brianna King is leading the conference with 21 points a game, and steals (34). She also leads the team in assists (44). 
• King has scored 20 or more points seven of the 11 games this season. 
• King is 75 points away from 1000 career points. 
• Britt Cooper is 150 points away from 1000 career points. 
• Cierra Lamey is averaging 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. She is shooting 87.1 percent from the free-throw line. 
• The Bulldogs have four players shooting 40 percent of better from long-range: Savanna Bignell (51.6), Cierra Lamey (48.6), Shannon Worster(48.1), and Brianna King(40.6).

Scouting the Opponents

• The Montana State University - Northern Skylights are 8-6 overall and 0-2 in Frontier play. 
• The Skylights hold opponents to 56 points a game and average 14 assists a game. 
• The Skylights are led by Peyton Kehr's 13.1 points a game, she shoots 40 percent from 3-point range. 
• The No. 13 University of Providence Argos are 11-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
• The Agros are led by Parker Esary 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game, and Emilee Maldonado 23 steals and 84 assists. 
• The Argos allow 61 points a game and are a plus 12.5 in rebound margin. 

Game Times

• Jan. 4: 6 p.m. at MSU-Northern, - Armory Gymnasium 
• Jan. 5: 5:30 p.m. at University of Providence, - McLaughlin Center

Media Coverage

• Live video can be found here: MSUN, UP
• Live stats can be found here: MSUN, UP
• Radio broadcast can be found on KDBM AM 1490 and online. 
• Links and recaps will also be provided on www.umwbulldogs.com
• Updates can be found on Twitter @UMWBulldogs and @umw_wbb