OGDEN, Utah (March 1, 2017) – A helter-skelter eve week before the 2017 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championship created several unseen moments on Wednesday, as upsets and close games ruled the night.
Still, one team helped to solve questions about their status entering the tournament, as Northern Colorado picked up a
57-50 road win over Portland State, guaranteeing a bye for the Bears. Northern Colorado, who started the league season at 10-0, moves to 13-4 in league play.
It was a tight game in Portland, as the Bears and Vikings were tied 30-30 at halftime. However, Northern Colorado outscored Portland State 13-2 in the third quarter, giving the Bears a sizable advantage. The Bears had no field goals the last 4:22 of the game, but the advantage held.
Northern Colorado’s Courtney Smith led all scorers in the game with 21 points, as the Bears had two double-digit scorers. Courtney West led Portland State with 16 points.
Montana 71, Weber State 46 – The Montana Lady Griz have had their well-documented growing pains this season, but they may have gained a shot of confidence after a commanding home win over Weber State.
The Lady Griz led 20-9 after the opening period, and led 56-34 entering the final period. Montana’s defense carried the day for the Lady Griz, as the Wildcats made just 16-of-58 field goals and just 1-of-20 three-point shots.
Montana dominated the paint in the game, outrebounding Weber State 48-30. Additionally, the Lady Griz held a 38-22 advantage in points-in-the-paint, and a 35-7 edge in bench points.
Madi Schoening led the Lady Griz with 19 points, making 7-of-11 baskets. Emily Drake led Weber State with 19 points.
Montana State 73, Idaho State 67 – In a game that could be repeated in Reno, the Montana State Bobcats found a way to edge the Idaho State Bengals, keeping the Bobcats’ hopes for a top-seed alive.
Montana State opened the game on a run, leading 27-7 after the opening quarter. Bit-by-bit, the Bengals clawed their way back into the picture, with Montana State holding a narrow 54-51 lead heading into the final quarter.
Turnovers and poor shooting from distance plagued the Bengals, as Idaho State committed 18 turnovers and made just 5-of-17 three-point shots. Idaho State never led in the game.
Montana State’s Peyton Ferris led all scorers in the game, as she finished with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Estefania Ors led Idaho State with 19 points.
Northern Arizona 76, Idaho 61 – The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks jumped on the Idaho Vandals early, earning an impressive road win.
Raina Perez’s 26 points led the Lumberjacks to a confidence-building road win, as Northern Arizona took an 18-10 lead after the first quarter. Idaho chipped away at the lead, trailing 51-47 entering the fourth quarter, but it was the Lumberjacks who closed well with a 25-point fourth quarter.
Northern Arizona used a combo of physicality and defense to climb to the win, picking up 26 points off 18 Idaho turnovers. Then, the Lumberjacks made 14-of-18 free throws, compared to Idaho’s 5-of-7.
Taylor Reilly led Idaho with 23 points, before fouling out. Rene Coggins chipped in 19 points for Northern Arizona.
Southern Utah 64, Eastern Washington 63 – A win on Wednesday would have clinched a first-round bye for the Eastern Washington Eagles, after losses by Idaho State and Idaho, but it was the Southern Utah Thunderbirds who flew to victory in Cheney.
Eastern Washington held a 31-27 halftime lead, as the two teams went back-and-forth, with neither leading by more than eight points. Overall, the lead changed hands eight times, as Southern Utah climbed to its second league win.
Southern Utah’s Darri Frandsen made a layup with 2:19 left, giving Southern Utah a 64-61 lead. Eastern Washington would hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one point, but missed three shots in the final minute to fall.
Kiana Johnson led the Thunderbirds with 20 points, as Southern Utah had four teams finish in double-digits. Delaney Hodgins led Eastern Washington with 19 points.
North Dakota 92, Sacramento State 78 – A strong offensive performance lifted the North Dakota Fighting Hawks to a road win over the Sacramento State Hornets, leaving just one win between UND and an outright Big Sky title.
The Fighting Hawks led 52-37 at halftime, and used offensive efficiency throughout the game to fly past the Hornets. North Dakota shot 56 percent from the field, making 31-of-55 shots from the floor. Also, UND dominated at the line, making 26-of-29 free throws.
North Dakota had four double-digit scorers on the night, as Makailah Dyer led the way with 21 points. Lexi Klabo contributed 20 points for the Fighting Hawks, making 7-of-9 baskets.
Brianna Burgos and Justyce Dawson both scored 14 points for Sacramento State.