#6 Western WBB Defeats #3 Carroll 65-56 in Frontier Conference Quarterfinals

BUTTE, Mont. - The Montana Western women's basketball program (14-13, 12-11 FC) earned a trip to the Frontier Conference semis with a 65-56 victory over Carroll (19-10, 17-5 FC) Saturday.

The Bulldogs showcased an incredible defensive effort, holding the three-seed Fighting Saints under 30.0 percent from the floor and under 20.0 percent from beyond the arc.

"We talked this week about how we had to win the game that was going to be played," head coach Ryan Sullivan said. "We did a phenomenal job in the second half of staying even-keel, and I think our seniors really spearheaded that. There wasn't doubt that we were going to have a chance to win the game with the way we have been playing recently, so I am supper proud of them to not flinch against a really good basketball team."

STAT BREAKDOWN

UMW shot 50.0 percent (24-48) from the floor, 33.3 percent (4-12) from beyond the arc, and 56.5 percent (13-23) from the foul line.

Western tallied 44 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks in the contest.

The Bulldogs registered 20 points in the paint, four points off turnovers, two second-chance points, and 26 bench points.

LEADERBOARD

Bailee Sayler led all players with 22 points, followed by Isabella Lund (16) and Keke Davis (11).

Davis earned a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds while Sayler had nine.

Lund and Davis dished out two assists each.

Lund, Sayler, and Mila Hawk tallied one steal apiece.

Sayler swatted a game-best two blocks.

NOTABLES

Sayler shot 87.5 percent (7-8) from the floor, 66.7 percent (2-3) from deep, and 85.7 percent (6-7) from the charity stripe.

Davis posted her fourth double-double of the season.

Bellach drained multiple threes for the third straight game.

Lund registered her 16th double-digit scoring effort this season.

The Bulldogs pulled down more than 40 rebounds for the ninth time.

At least three blocks for the sixth time in the last seven games.

Western held its opponent under 30.0 percent from the floor for the fifth time on the campaign.

GAME SUMMARY

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early five-point lead, but the Saints fought their way back to tie it with just under three minutes to play in the first. Western held a three-point advantage, 14-11, after 10 minutes of action.

Carroll took the lead late in the second period, but a buzzer-beating jumper from Davis tied the game at 25 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

UMW shot 43.5 percent (10-23) from the field, 25.0 percent (2-8) from beyond the arc, and 37.5 percent (3-8) from the foul line in the first half.

Western locked in after half, building up to an 11-point lead, 45-34, with one quarter remaining. The Saints shot just 13.3 percent (2-15) from the field in the third frame.

Carroll fought back within six with five minutes remaining in regulation, but the Bulldogs weathered the storm. Sayler was clutch at the line down the stretch to seal the nine-point win.

THE OPPOSITION

The Fighting Saints shot 27.7 percent (18-65) from the floor, 15.0 percent (3-20) from distance, and 89.5 percent (17-19) from the foul line. They tallied 31 rebounds, three assists, 10 steals, and one block. Kenzie Allen led the team with 12 points, followed by Meagan Karstetter and Willa Albrecht with 11 apiece. Allen also pulled down a team-best six boards and paced all players with four steals. Jillian Kanduch dished out a team-best two assists while Allen swatted the lone block of the game for Carroll.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bulldogs take on two-seed Montana Tech in the conference semis tomorrow. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. MT.