BUTTE, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears were unable to overcome a strong shooting performance from MSU-Northern, falling 82-74 in the Frontier Conference Quarterfinals.
Three-point shooting was an x-factor for both sides, as the Battlin' Bears struggled, shooting just four-of-25, while the Skylights finished shooting a scorching 14-of-26 from deep.
How It Happened
The Skylights set the tempo early, converting seven of their eight three-point attempts in the first quarter, handing Rocky an early double-digit deficit in Butte. Isabelle Heggem would drop a mid-range jumper to close the quarter, leaving Rocky with an uphill battle, trailing 29-15.
Paige Wasson and Isabelle Heggem would spark Rocky to open the second quarter, combining for five points apiece to lead Rocky on a 10-2 run to cut their deficit down to six. Later in the quarter, the Battlin' Bears would begin to compile stops on the defensive end, working their way to an 11-3 run to tie the contest with two minutes to play in the half. The Skyights would sink their final three shots from the field to close the half, including a pair of threes to build a six point lead going into halftime.
Rocky's offense came out strong to open the second half, converting on their first five shots from the field, totaling an 11-3 run and taking a two-point lead with eight minutes to play in the third quarter. The offensive momentum would switch following Rocky's run, as Rocky would make just one of their next six shots from the field, as MSU-Northern would take their lead right back, going up nine with four minutes remaining in the quarter. Isabelle Heggem would drain a pair of free throws to close the quarter as the Battlin' Bears trailed by seven heading into the fourth quarter.
While Rocky would trim their deficit to three early in the quarter, their effort to overcome the early deficit would fall short, as the Battlin' Bear tournament run ended in the quarterfinals, a loss by eight points.
Notable Statistics
Paige Wasson finished the contest with a team-high 29 points, converting all seven of her free throw attempts, while adding ten rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Isabelle Heggem added a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double.
The Battlin' Bears finished the game shooting 39.1% from the field and just 16% from three-point range. Rocky won the rebound battle 43-36, snagging 16 offensive rebounds.
MSU-Northern's Becky Melcher recorded a game-high 30 points, sinking seven of the Skylights' 14 three-pointers on the afternoon.
Up Next
Rocky Women's Basketball (20-9, 17-5 conf.) finished the regular season as the #22-ranked team in the NAIA, as well as ranked 35th in the NAIA in the RPI, in a prime position for an At-Large bid into the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament. They will await that announcement, scheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 pm (MT).
