The Montana State University-Northern Skylights opened the 2026-27 women's basketball season with a hard-fought 78-73 overtime victory over Southern Oregon University on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Spokane.
Northern battled through four quarters before pulling away in overtime to secure the five-point win and start the season 1-0.
Senior guard
Ciera Agasiva led the Skylights with a game-high 28 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. Agasiva also collected five rebounds and added two assists.
Allison Kunze turned in a strong performance with 16 points and 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Kunze connected on 7-of-10 shots from the field while adding three assists and two blocked shots.
Jaynee Tanner contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while
Shania Moananu finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Eva Yeadon added six points off the bench.
The Skylights established an early advantage, taking a 15-9 lead after the opening quarter. Southern Oregon responded in the second period, outscoring Northern 12-10, but the Skylights maintained a 25-21 advantage at halftime.
Southern Oregon found its rhythm after the break, scoring 21 points in the third quarter to take a 42-38 lead into the final period. Northern answered in the fourth, putting together a 21-point effort to force overtime after the teams finished regulation tied at 59.
In overtime, the Skylights delivered their strongest offensive stretch of the game, scoring 19 points to outpace Southern Oregon's 14. Northern converted 8-of-9 free throws in the extra period, helping seal the season-opening victory.
As a team, Northern shot 45.5% from the field and 85.2% from the free-throw line. The Skylights also controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with 46 boards compared to Southern Oregon's 31.
Keeley Wright led Southern Oregon with 20 points, while Maitlin Young added 16 points and Lydia Traore contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
The victory gives the Skylights a 1-0 record to begin the season as they continue their early-season schedule in Spokane.
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