Montana Western used timely runs in the second and fourth quarters to secure a 73-64 Frontier Conference victory over Montana State University-Northern on Saturday evening.
Northern came out aggressive, attacking the paint early and getting on the board first. The Skylights built a small early advantage behind strong inside play before Western settled in offensively. The Bulldogs answered with perimeter shooting and transition baskets, swinging momentum midway through the quarter. The teams traded buckets down the stretch, and Western edged ahead late to take a narrow lead into the second period.
Western found its rhythm in the second. The Bulldogs pieced together a scoring run fueled by ball movement and efficient shooting from the field. Their defense forced key turnovers that led to transition points, allowing Western to stretch the lead to multiple possessions.
Northern responded with a push of its own, cutting into the deficit with interior scoring and second-chance opportunities. Despite the Skylights' effort, Western maintained control and went into halftime with the advantage.
The third period featured back-and-forth play as Northern attempted to close the gap. The Skylights increased their defensive pressure and capitalized on mid-range looks to stay within striking distance.
Western countered each surge with poised offensive possessions, converting key baskets whenever Northern threatened to make it a one-possession game. The Bulldogs maintained their cushion heading into the final quarter.
Northern made one final push in the opening minutes of the fourth, trimming the lead and energizing the home crowd. However, Western responded with composure. Timely baskets and strong free-throw shooting down the stretch prevented the comeback attempt.
With under two minutes to play, Western converted at the line and controlled the tempo to seal the nine-point road victory.
Montana State-Northern:
Montana Western:
- Keke Davis was a standout, finishing with 23 points while adding rebounds and defensive intensity.
- Bailee Sayler provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, including several key shots.
- Ava Bellach contributed 11 points, helping spread the offense.
The Skylights fall to 16-11 overall and 12-10 in Conference. They will play next weekend in the Frontier Conference Tournament. More information can be found on golightsgo.com or MSU-Northern Athletics social media.
