Bulldog Women Secure Come From Behind Win To Advance To Frontier Tournament Semifinal

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information photo credit Terri Haverfield

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Montana Western women's basketball team (17-12, 8-7) overcame a slow start to take down the Montana Tech Orediggers by a final score of 69-47.

After scoring just six points in the first quarter and falling to a 26-21 halftime deficit, the Bulldogs were able to turn it around in the second half and ride a combined 48 points to a comeback win.

"Our ladies did a great job of overcoming a slow start. We locked in on defense and used that to carry our offense," Head Coach Britt Cooper said.

How it Happened

After a four-minute stretch of neither team finding the basket, the Orediggers were the first to capitalize. MT ran on an 8-0 run to kick off the game and held the Bulldogs to just six points in the first quarter.

Jordan Sweeney connected with the net on a three-pointer to start the second quarter and woke the Western offense up. UMW would go on to outscore the Diggers 15-8 in the second frame and trail 26-21 at the half.

The halftime break was enough to get Western fired up as Shainy Mack hit a triple from the start of the third quarter. Sweeney followed with a layup and Joelnell Momberg utilized an and one opportunity to tie the game up at 29.

Western remained electric, riding a 16-0 scoring run to take a 56-36 lead into the final six minutes of the game. The lead was enough to keep the Bulldogs out in front for the remainder of the matchup.

Freshman Ava Bellach made a layup and capped scoring in the game as the Bulldogs finish on top by a final score of 69-47.

Notables

• After hitting just seven for 24 in the first half, the Bulldogs came out with a vengeance in the second half and shot 62 percent from the field.

• On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs forced 19 turnovers and put up 19 points on them.

• Sweeney led this evening with 21 points, six rebounds, and an assist.

• Momberg followed with 18 points after she hit three of six from the three-point line. She also added eight rebounds and two steals.

• Mack put up 11 points and grabbed five steals in the effort.
  

Up Next

The Bulldogs move on to the Frontier Conference semifinal to be played tomorrow evening at 7:00pm. The Bulldogs are set to take on the No. 14 ranked University of Providence.

To view tournament information, click here.