Bulldogs Outlast Warriors In Kansas, Qualify for NAIA Round of 16

PARK CITY, Kan. – The No. 3 seeded Montana Western Women's Basketball team claimed

second-round victory tonight over the No. 11 seeded Sterling College (Kan.) by a score of 72-68.

The Bulldogs now advance to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa where they will take on the No. 2 seeded Dordt (Iowa).

"Could not be prouder of this team or more excited.” redshirt senior Mesa King said. “We have a long road ahead of us still, but I think we can do this. I think it is going to be a good run for us. We just have to stay together, keep doing what we are good at instead of trying to do too much, and keep doing the little things.”

How It Happened

Despite forcing a quick turnover on Sterling’s first possession, the Warriors were the first to

score and went on a quick 7-0 run on the Bulldogs.

Shainy Mack hit a three and a layup to break the run with just under seven minutes to play in the first quarter. Sterling continued to put the pressure on the Bulldogs.

Brynley Fitzgerald drained back-to-back threes and Jordan Sweeney hit a jumper to give the

Bulldogs their first lead of the game. Up 17-14 heading into the second quarter, Sterling’s Kali Briar drained a three to tie the game at 17.

Keke Davis answered with a contested layup and gave Montana Western the edge once

again.

After a momentum shift following a three-point play from Emily Cooley, the Bulldogs led 38-31

heading into the second half. Warriors’ Taya Wilson hit a mid-range jumper, cutting into the Bulldogs’ seven-point lead at the start of the third.

Sterling continued to push and took a lead behind another three from Briar. Sweeney jumped back in and added a three and a jumper on back-to-back possessions to put

UMW back up 47-44. UMW would go on to hang on to a three-point lead heading into the final

ten minutes of the game.

Montana Western and Sterling continued to duke it out down the stretch. With 5:07 remaining in the game, Sterling claimed a five-point lead. Sweeney and Fitzgerald combined to bring the

Bulldogs right back into it tied at 61.

Two steals from Mesa King and one from Fitzgerald helped to keep the momentum on the

Bulldogs’ side as Montana Western sealed the deal at 72-68.

Notables

• The Bulldogs were outshot by the Warriors across the game 47.2 to 43.3 from the field.

Despite being outshot, the Bulldogs were able to put up seven more shots than the

Warriors.

• The Bulldogs snagged a team total of 30 rebounds, nine on the offensive side of the ball.

• The Bulldog defense grabbed 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and added 13 points off of

turnovers.

• Brynley Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs after she had a double-double with 26 points and 11

rebounds. She also had four steals and an assist.

• Jordan Sweeney added 17 points, three assists, and two steals.

• Mesa King was the team’s second leading rebounder with eight boards. She also added

10 points and four steals.

Up Next

With tonight's win, the No. 3 seeded Bulldogs advance to the round of 16 at the NAIA National

Championship Final Site in Sioux City, Iowa. They will take on the No. 2 seeded Dordt (Iowa)

Defenders. Dordt enters the matchup after defeating Mayville State (N.D.) 82-66 in the second

round.