by Lindsey Branch
DICKINSON, N.D. – The Montana Western women’s basketball team (0-1, 0-0) fell in their season opener this evening against the Dickinson State Blue Hawks (2-0, 0-0) by a final score of 70-61.
Today’s loss marks the first loss to the Blue Hawks since the 2014-15 season.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs got on the board early in the game, taking a seven-point lead behind a triple from Ava Bellach in the first four minutes of the first quarter. Joelnell Momberg drained the Bulldogs’ third triple to cap the quarter and take an 18-14 lead into the second frame.
Despite the promising start, Western hit a lull as the Blue Hawks went on a 10-1 run across the first three minutes of the second quarter. DSU would extend their lead and hold Western to just 12 points in the frame and take a 37-30 lead into the half break.
DSU continued their run into the third, pushing out to an 11-point lead with five minutes to go in the third. It was Momberg once again who got Western’s offense back rolling, hitting a pair of free throws to break the spell.
Isabella Lund followed, hitting on back-to-back trips to the hoop and Maddy Moy added another layup to cut the lead back to five. Dickinson would retain the edge at 53-48 heading into the final ten minutes of the game.
UMW’s less than ideal fourth quarter led to the Blue Hawks outscoring the Bulldogs 17-13 in the final stretch and win by a final score of 70-61.
Notables
- The Bulldogs are now 9-1 in their last ten matchups with Dickinson State and prior to tonight, had not lost to DSU since 2014.
- Western will get another shot at the Blue Hawks on Nov. 8 in UMW’s home opener.
- Momberg led the Bulldogs with 18 points and four rebounds.
- Trinidie Nichols racked up four steals and four rebounds in the matchup.
