GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Stephanie McDonagh did it all for Lady Argo basketball in the team's season opener. The junior guard led the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists on the way to a 69-50 UGF win over Mount Royal University.
 
It was defense that led the way for UGF while the team's offense knocked off the offseason rust. Dominant rebounding and an early steal led to 6-0 start for the Lady Argos, but that lead was negated six minutes into the game with the score tied at 7.
 
A two-point field goal from redshirt-junior Kallee Wilson gave UGF the lead back and the Lady Argos kept the lead for the rest of the game. By a minute into the second quarter, UGF led by 7 and that would grow to 12 by the end of the first half.
 
UGF shot just 25 percent from the field in the first quarter and 37.5 percent in the second, getting most of its points off of turnovers and 2nd chance points. Of the team's 33 first half points, 14 came off of turnovers and 11 were a result of offensive rebounds.
 
The second saw the Lady Argo's offense settle into a more efficient operation, shooting above 40 percent in each of the last two quarters. Turning defense into offense was still the team's best scoring threat though, with 16 more points coming off of turnovers in the second half.
 
Those turnovers were a result of 21 total steals for the Lady Argos who pestered the Cougar ball handlers all night long. Seven different UGF players finished the game with more than one steal, including five from senior guard/forward Nneka Nnadi.
 
The star of the game for UGF was decidedly McDonagh, who posted the third double-double of her career with 19 points and 14 rebounds. She also led UGF with 4 assists while playing some point guard and some shooting guard and added 3 steals and 1 block to her total.
 
UGF's second leading scorer was talented freshman Jenna Randich, who scored 11 points in 22 minutes of play in her first college game. The guard took some time finding her shooting touch, going 5-12 from the floor but showcased an exciting skillset for the future.
 
Wilson and freshman Cayden Diefenbach scored their first points as Lady Argos, with Wilson finishing with 4 points and 3 rebounds and Diefenbach finishing with 5 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
 
Redshirt-senior Darah Huertas-Vining since suffering a knee injury in the first round of the 2014-15 NAIA Women's Basketball Championships. The crafty veteran scored 4 points and had two dazzling assists.
 
The win gives UGF Head Coach Bill Himmelberg 99 career wins, with a chance to read the 100-win milestone on October 22 at 5:30 p.m. against the University of Lethbridge.