DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western women's basketball program 5-5, 3-3 FC) surged past Valley City State 73-57 Saturday evening in Straugh Gymnasium
After going into halftime down two points, the Bulldogs outscored the Vikings 45-27 over the final 20 minutes to seal the win.
"I was really impressed with how hard we played," head coach
Ryan Sullivan said. "We had great minutes from our bench when we got in foul trouble. Valley is a good team with capable shooters and we were able to limit their efficiency. It's a great win at home."
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 41.2 percent (28-68) from the field, 35.0 percent (7-20) from beyond, and 71.4 percent (10-14) from the charity stripe in the contest.
The Red and Black recorded 48 rebounds, 17 assists, eight blocks, and seven steals.
Western turned in 38 points in the paint, 14 points off turnovers, four second-chance points, and 24 bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Ava Bellach tied for the game high with 15 points, including 12 from downtown.
Mila Hawk (11) and
Keke Davis (10) were also in double figures for the Bulldogs
Davis earned a double-double, adding a career-high and game-best 17 rebounds. She also tied for the game-high with three steals on the night.
Isabella Lund dished out a team-best five assists while
Tayva Phillips and Hawk each had four.
Bailee Sayler recorded a season-high three blocks.
Kyle Pancost and Bellach swatted two blocks apiece
NOTABLES
Every Bulldog who saw action in the game scored at least one bucket.
Phillips was all over the stat sheet in her season debut, posting seven points, five boards, four helpers, and one steal.
Davis tallied her first double-double of the season.
Hawk shot 71.4 percent (5-7) from the floor, earning a season-best in points.
Western matched its season high in blocks and tied for its second-best assist tally of the year.
GAME SUMMARY
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early five point lead in the contest before the visitors went on a run of their own to lead by five, 15-10, at the end of the first.
The Vikings dropped another 15-piece in the second quarter, leading by as many as eight before Western clawed their way back to within two, 30-28, at the break.
The Bulldogs shot 29.0 percent (9-31) from the floor 27.3 percent (3-11) from three, and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the foul line over the first two periods.
The locker room talk did the trick for UMW, who came out firing on all cylinders in the third. The Bulldogs outscored VCSU 21-9 in the frame, and held them scoreless for the final four minutes of the quarter.
Western continued its offensive onslaught in the final period, posting 24 points to the Vikings 18 to ensure the double-digit victory.
THE OPPOSITION
Valley City shot 27.5 percent (19-69) from the field, 25.0 percent (7-28) from distance, and 80.0 percent (12-15) from the foul line. The Vikings earned 45 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks, and 14 steals. Ellie Braaten tied for the game-high with 15 points, followed by JayCee Richter with 10. Richter tallied a team-best nine rebounds. Braaten also registered a game-best seven assists while she, Liz Lukken, and Cassidy Shute tied for the game-lead with three steals apiece. Richter and Tiyana Schwinghammer each recorded one block.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow when they host Mayville State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. MT.
For complete coverage of UMW Women's Basketball, be sure to follow us on social media at @umw_wbb (Instagram), @umw_wbb (X), and @Montana Western Athletics (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.
#GOBULLDOGS!
