DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western women's basketball program (7-8, 5-6 FC) defeated (RV) Providence (10-7, 6-5 FC) 60-46 Saturday evening.
In a game that was tightly contested through three quarters, the Bulldogs outscored the Argos 18-6 in the final period to take the win.
"I'm really proud of this group for how they competed tonight in a huge conference game against Providence," head coach
Ryan Sullivan said. "
Ava Bellach stepped up in big moments and knocked down some time threes while also giving us seven tough rebounds.
Maile Wilcox was extremely efficient and made the right plays all night, and
Keke Davis was a force around the basket on both ends. This was a total team win."
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 40.3 percent (25-62) from the field, 29.2 percent (7-24) from deep, and 75.0 percent (3-4) from the charity stripe.
Western recorded 45 boards, 13 assists, 10 steals, and five blocks.
The Bulldogs put up 28 points in the paint, seven points off turnovers, nine second-chance points, and 27 bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Keke Davis posted a team best 11 points to go with a game-high nine boards. She also led the team with three steals
Ava Bellach (nine) drained three fourth-quarter threes to help seal the win.
Isabella Lund and
Brooke Deyak shared the game-lead with four assists apiece.
Kyle Pancost swatted a game-best four blocks.
NOTABLES
Every player who entered the game for Western scored and earned at least one rebound.
Pancost delivered a career-high four blocks.
Deyak earned a career-best in assists.
Davis scored in double figures for the seventh time.
The Bulldogs earned 10 or more steals for the fourth time in five games.
Western allowed just one three pointer (1-17), the best mark of the season.
GAME SUMMARY
The opening 10 minutes were evenly matched, though the visitors held a slight advantage for the majority of the period. They led 14-11 at the break.
The Argos led by five, their largest lead of the night, twice in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs stayed scrappy and the game was tied at 26 going into halftime.
UMW shot 32.4 percent (11-34) from the floor. 8.3 percent from three, and 75.0 percent (3-4) from the line in the first half.
The third frame was back-and-forth through the first few minutes, but Western took the lead 32-30 with seven minutes remaining and never trailed again. It was a two-point game, 42-40, heading into the final period.
The Bulldogs shined in the fourth, largely due to Bellach coming alive from beyond the arc and three smart assists from Deyak. Providence's offense stalled in the final 10 minutes, allowing UMW to run away with it.
THE OPPOSITION
The Argos shot 27.8 percent (15-54) from the field, 75.0 percent (15-20) from the line, and just 5.9 percent (1-17) from beyond the arc. They earned 34 rebounds, seven assists, seven steals, and two blocks. Brooke Dial led the game with 15 points. Sofia Mokofisi and McKenna Reggear shared the team-lead in rebounds with six each. Reggear also posted a game-best four steals. Dial and Madi Reibel handed out three assists apiece. Mokofisi and Reggear each earned one block.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs head on the road next week for matchups at Bellevue (1/16) and Dakota State (1/17). Both contests are set to tipoff at 4 p.m. MT. 5 p.m. CT.
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!
