Bulldogs Put Out Fire With 64-59 Victory

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Montana Western women's basketball team (4-2) broke a two-game slide with a 64-59 victory over RV Southeastern University (3-2) this afternoon.

The Bulldogs were led by Jordan Sweeney who totaled 15 points, six assists, and six rebounds.

How It Happened

The two teams opened the game matching each other stride for stride. Isabella Lund made a layup that kicked off a three-minute scoring run that saw UMW put up a 10-0 scoring run that was capped with a three-pointer from Payton Hagy. The Bulldogs were 7-12 from the field across the first ten minutes to take a 21-12 lead.

Holding a 25-16 advantage, Hagy hit her second three-pointer from the arc with 6:49 left in the half to boost the Bulldogs to a 12-point lead. SEU's Kassidy Jones cut into the Bulldog lead with a three of her own, but Joelnell Momberg quickly ended a three-minute dry spell for UMW with her own triple.

The Bulldogs led from the half 35-27 advantage with Jordan Sweeney leading the way with nine points and five assists in the half.

The Fire turned up the intensity in the third quarter, forcing a pair of turnovers and rallying behind a pair of three-pointers. With the score at 39-35, SEU's Herman made a layup to cut the lead back to two points and force a UMW timeout to slow the drive.

Outscored 10-4 in the first four minutes of the third frame, Sweeney killed a two-minute scoreless spurt with a jumper from the field. Momberg then found Keke Davis on a no-look pass for two points and one on the trip to the charity stripe for a 44-39 lead. UMW clung to a 48-43 lead heading into the final frame.

UMW turned it around at the start of the fourth, putting together a 7-0 run across the first three minutes of the fourth. Sweeney added her sixth assist on a pass to Maddy Moy that resulted in a layup for an 11-point lead with five minutes to play and a 59-48 lead.

Despite the energy from the Fire late in the fourth, UMW was able to hold on to take the win 64-59.

Notables

• Prior to today's matchup, the Bulldogs averaged 10.6 turnovers per game. Today's matchup saw UMW struggle behind 17 turnovers.

• SEU capitalized on Bulldogs turnovers, putting up 18 points off UMW's 17 turnovers.

• Despite SEU outrebounding UMW on offense 13-8, the Bulldogs pulled in three more boards than the Fire.

• Sweeney led the balanced Bulldog attack with 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

• Shainy Mack and Kyla Momberg each had nine points and two steals.

• Davis led the Bulldogs with seven boards.

Up Next

The Bulldogs turn around tomorrow to take on St. Thomas University (Fla.) at 5 p.m. MT in Lakeland, Fla.