DICKINSON, N.D. – The Montana Western women's basketball program (6-6, 4-4 FC) fought back from as many as 13 down but came up just short and fell to Dickinson State 63-60 Friday evening in North Dakota.
Free throws were a difference maker in the ball game, as UMW hit 7-of-17 compared to 12-of-17 from the hosts.
STAT BREAKDOWN
Western shot 34.3 percent (23-67) from the field, 31.8 percent (7-22) from distance, and 41.2 percent (7-17) from the line.
The Bulldogs recorded 47 rebounds, nine assists, 13 steals, and four blocks in the contest.
They scored 32 points in the paint, 15 points off turnovers, 11 second-chance points, and 16 points off the bench.
LEADERBOARD
Isabella Lund paced the team with 13 points, followed by
Gio Horner with 12.
Kyle Pancost and
Bailee Sayler shared the game-high with nine rebounds each.
Lund also dished out a team-high three assists while Sayler and
Tayva Phillips each earned a game-high three steals.
Kyle Pancost swatted two blocks to lead all players.
NOTABLES
Western pulled down a season-high 22 offensive rebounds.
The Bulldogs forced 21 turnovers from DSU, marking the third time this season that an opponent has had 20 or more giveaways.
Lund was all over the stat sheet with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Pancost matched her season high with nine total rebounds and pulled down a career-best seven offensive boards.
GAME SUMMARY
The Bulldogs struggled to get things going offensively in the opening frame, allowing the hosts to lead by as many as 12. They found their footing as the game progressed and a buzzer-beating three from
Mila Hawk put Western within five, 20-15, at the break.
UMW turned up the heat on defense in the second, forcing seven turnovers while outscoring DSU 12-9 in the period. The Red and Black trailed by two, 29-27, at the half.
The Bulldogs shot 26.3 percent (10-38) from the floor, 25.0 percent (3-12) from three, and 33.3 percent (4-12) from the foul line in the first 20 minutes of action.
Three straight turnovers from the Blue Hawks allowed Western to pull ahead by four just after halftime, but a 7-0 run from Dickinson State at the end of the period gave them a 48-40 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Blue Hawks stretched their lead to 13 early in the fourth, but the Bulldogs showed tremendous fight to pull themselves back within striking distance. Despite late buckets from Horner and Lund, the hosts managed to hold on for the three-point win.
THE OPPOSITION
Dickinson State shot 39.2 percent (20-51) from the field, 45.8 percent (11-24) from beyond the arc, and 70.6 percent (12-17) from the charity stripe. The Blue Hawks tallied 37 rebounds, 16 assists, 12 steals, and two blocks. J'ell Garfield led the game with 18 points, followed by Kyrie Alldredge with 14. Three DSU players tallied five rebounds apiece. Garfield and Anhelica Shanrock shared the game-high with four assists each while Sadie Stevenson earned three steals. Kaylin Garza and Allie Kohn each posted one block
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs take the court again tomorrow when they face off at Bismarck State. Tipoff is set for 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.
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