by By Lindsey Branch
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Montana Western women’s basketball team (4-3) fell in a close matchup against the St. Thomas University Bobcats (4-2) to close out their trip to Florida.
Joelnell Momberg hit a career-high five three-pointers.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs opened the game with a hot start, shooting 61.5 from the field to take a 24-22 lead into the second quarter.
A layup and a three from Joelnell Momberg opened the game up for the Bulldogs to take a seven-point advantage. Momberg struck once again from the arc to continue to stretch the Bulldog lead.
The Bobcats closed out the half on a quick 4-0 scoring run to close the gap to seven with UMW leading the game at 43-36 heading into the half break.
St. Thomas opened the half with a 6-0 run, cutting the game down to a one-point deficit and forcing a Bulldog timeout three minutes into the third quarter. UMW finally got on the board after Kyla Momberg dished it out to Joelnell Momberg for a three-pointer.
Sweeney extended the Bulldog lead to three as she hit a jumper from the top of the key with 5:12 on the clock. Joelnell Momberg and Shainy Mack answered the call and hit back-to-back threes for a 56-47 UMW lead with 2:30 left in the third quarter.
The Bobcats made a push late in the third and cut back into the lead, with UMW carrying a 57-53 lead into the final ten minutes.
St. Thomas kept knocking at UMW’s door, hitting another three-pointer at the start of the fourth. With momentum on the side of the Bobcats, STU’s McDonald gave the Bobcats the first lead of the half behind a three-pointer. STU added another three to give the Bobcats the lead at 66-59.
Joelnell Momberg drained her fifth three-pointer of the game to break the STU 13-0 scoring run. Down 71-62 with 4:14 on the clock, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome the red-hot Bobcats. Despite last ditch efforts, UMW fell to St. Thomas by a final score of 84-74.
