DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western women's basketball program (9-12, 7-10 FC) defeated Bismarck State (6-16, 6-11 FC) 82-73 in Straugh Gymnasium Friday evening.
The Bulldogs erased a 13-point second-quarter deficit. They took the lead with just over five minutes remaining in the third frame and never looked back.
"I was really proud of how our girls competed when we didn't start quite how we wanted to," head coach
Ryan Sullivan said. "We had huge minutes of the bench from
Kyle Pancost and did a really nice job sharing the basketball in the second half."
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 44.8 percent (30-67) from the field, 30.8 percent (8-26) from downtown, and 82.4 percent (14-17) from the foul line.
Western registered 44 rebounds, 15 assists, eight steals, and four blocks.
The Bulldogs posted 38 points in the paint, 12 points off turnovers, eight second-chance points, and 35 bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Bailee Sayler led all players with 20 points, followed by
Tayva Phillips (12),
Isabella Lund (10), and
Keke Davis (10).
Davis notched a double-double with a game-high 10 boards.
Lund recorded game-bests in both assists (eight) and steals (three).
Maile Wilcox posted a game-high two blocks.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs grabbed over 40 rebounds for the sixth time this season.
Most points scored this season.
Lund recorded a career-best in assists.
Phillips dropped a career-high in points.
Sayler scored 20 points for the second time in the last three games.
Davis posted her second double-double of the season.
Kyle Pancost provided a spark off the bench with eight points and eight boards.
GAME SUMMARY
Wilcox got things going for the Bulldogs with a quick three pointer in the opening quarter, but the Mystics responded with a 9-0 run to jump into the lead. The led by as many as nine in the first, and held a six-point advantage, 22-16, at the end of the period.
The visitors stretched their lead to 13 in the second quarter before Western pulled back within seven by the break.
UMW shot 38.7 percent (12-31) from the floor, 14.3 percent (2-14) from three, and 100.0 percent (2-2) from the line in the first half.
The halftime talk did the trick as the Bulldogs outscored Bismarck State 28-16 in the third frame, propelling them to a five-point lead, 56-51, with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
The Mystics briefly closed the gap to three points in the fourth, however Western stayed strong and carried a 12-point advantage, its largest of the game, with under five minutes to play.
A late three from Kennedy Stormer put the visitors back within five with 30 seconds remaining in the game, but a final four free throws from Lund sealed the deal.
THE OPPOSITION
The Mystics shot 35.6 percent (26-73) from the field, 27.8 percent (10-36) from three, and 68.6 percent (11-16) from the charity stripe. They tallied 43 rebounds, six assists, seven steals, and three blocks. Ashley Martodam led the team with 19 points, followed by Aleah McPherson, Stormer (17), and Piper Harris (14). Harper Harris tallied a team-best eight rebounds. Piper Harris tallied a team-best two assists. Stormer, Martodam, and McPherson each earned two steals. Stormer, Piper Harris, and Kennedy Harter posted one block apiece.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow when they host Dickinson State. Tipoff is set for 5 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!
