by DILLON, Mont., November 4th, 2015 – On a cold and snowy night in Dillon, Mont., the Montana Western women’s basketball team was on fire inside the Straugh Gymnasium as they shot 52% from the field and 41% from three-point territory to shoot their way past St. Thomas University (FL), 70-57, to improve to 5-0 on the season. (Stats)
Despite shooting a mere 11-31 (35%) from the field in the first half, including 3-14 (21%) from beyond the arc, the Bulldogs came out on a tear in the second half as they knocked down 16 of 21 attempts (76%) and 6-8 from three (75%). They finished 27-52 from the field and 9-22 from three-point territory.
Holding onto a 43-38 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs offense looked like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for the first 5:46 of the frame. Dr. Jekyll; Montana Western would make all six shot attempts during the stretch, including two three-pointers, to push their lead out to 13 points. Then Mr. Hyde; during their impressive offensive stretch, the Bulldogs scattered five turnovers into their lights-out shooting touch.
Fortunately for Montana Western, St. Thomas was unable to capitalize as they turned the ball back over to the Bulldogs four times and struggled to find the bottom of the net.
For the game, the visiting Bobcats from Miami, Florida were as cold as the weather outside, being limited to 27-65 (41%) from the field, 3-18 (17%) from downtown and 0-4 from the charity stripe.
Montana Western did an even better job of cleaning up the glass after forcing St. Thomas into tough, contested shots by limiting them to only seven offensive rebounds on 38 missed shots. The Bulldogs dominated the rebounding battle – 43-24 – to keep themselves on top despite 32 turnovers in the game.
“St. Thomas did a really good job of speeding us up and taking us out of our comfort zone,” Head Coach Lindsay Woolley said, “we struggled with their matchup zone in the first half as well.”
The first half, St. Thomas forced 17 turnovers and limited the Bulldogs to 35% from the field, before halftime adjustments proved to be successful.
“Although our turnovers did decrease much (17 to 15), we did a much better job of moving the ball and getting it into the paint in the second half,” stated Coach Woolley on his team’s second half explosion.
In the win, Montana Western was led by a trio of scorers to reach double figures; Sierra Higheagle (23), Molly Klinker (16) and Kaye Bignell (13). Higheagle’s game-high 23 points came on 8-15 from the field and 4-7 from three-point territory. Klinker finished 7-9 from the field, including 2-3 from downtown. Bignell knocked down 6-9 two-point attempts.
“Sometimes you have to win games with offense and that is what we did tonight,” stated Coach Woolley.
The great second half ball movement turned into 21 assists on the evening, led by eight from Aniese Palmore who also scored seven points in the contest. Callie Kanthack pitched in with four assists and Klinker had three.
The battle of the boards was led by Klinker and Higheagle who grabbed eight rebounds apiece, followed by freshman Britt Cooper’s seven rebounds off the bench.
Bignell and Higheagle each recorded two steals.
The Bobcats were led by two double-digit scorers as Wilisha Griner and Jamesha Willis each scored 14 on the night.
Montana Western will return to action on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. as they play host to St. Thomas University again, for the second game of the series.
