Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Credit Terri Haverfield
HAVRE, Mont. – The Montana Western women's basketball team (11-9, 3-4) lost a road game this afternoon with the MSU-Northern Skylights (10-10, 4-3) by a final score of 69-51.
Today's loss marks the first loss to the Skylights since 2020-21 season when the Bulldogs lost by two points on the road.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs got out to a fast start, taking a 12-5 lead early in the game. Northern answered and mirrored Western in scoring through the final minutes of the first quarter and the Bulldogs held a 17-15 lead heading into the second frame.
Despite a promising start following a three-pointer from Jordan Sweeney, the Bulldogs sunk into the background as the Skylights raced on to outscore the Bulldogs 18-9 in the second quarter.
Following the half break, Western's offense began to click. Kyla Momberg made a layup that kicked off a run that saw the Bulldogs bring the score back to a two-point deficit with 4:17 left in the third.
MSU-Northern continued to fight back, going 8-10 from the field in a 18-2 scoring run that took them into the fourth quarter up 57-40 with 7:18 to go.
A triple from Shainy Mack paired with a bucket on a successful drive to the hoop from Isabella Lund gave Western hope with just under seven minutes to play. Despite the spark, the Skylights outscored the Bulldog women 11-6 in the final minutes and capped the game out on top 69-51.
Notables
In what mirrored last game against Carroll, the Bulldogs fell behind in the second quarter today and the Skylights outscored Western 18-9 in the quarter.
Western's season-low of 30.0 percent from the field was the lowest team shooting percentage since last season's trip to Havre to play the Skylights on Jan. 26.
MSU-Northern outshot the Bulldogs 57.7 percent to 30 percent from the field.
Mack led the Bulldogs with 14 points behind four threes. She added two steals and four rebounds.
Sweeney and Joelnell Momberg added 11 points each. Sweeney also totaled six rebounds and six assists. Momberg added three rebounds.
Up Next
Montana Western moves to 3-4 in conference play and will be returning to the Straugh Gymnasium this Thursday for a game against No. 16 University of Providence. Tip-off is at 5:30pm MT.
