BILLINGS, Mont. – UGF simply made more shots. The (23) Lady Argos made 46 percent of their shooting attempts, while Rocky Mountain College made 32 percent and in the end it was that simple as UGF defeated the Battlin' Bears 69-58.
"It was a good game tonight. I thought our girls really fought tonight and did a good job of executing the defensive game plan," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "It was just a great overall effort. We executed the things we talked about and shooting 46 percent really helps."
Himmelberg's squad shot well from the opening tip. After going back and forth with Rocky for the first few minutes, a three from senior Erin Legel kick started a 9-2 UGF run to finish the first quarter.
From there, UGF used one of its most balanced offensive performances to hold and extend its lead. With all five starters involved in the scoring, along with ever improving bench player Molly Herron, the seven point first quarter difference grew to 13 at the half.
While the Bears outscored the Lady Argos by two in the final two periods, the game was never in doubt. UGF led by as much as 17 and never allowed RMC to get any closer than the 11 points the separated them at the end of the game.
"It was a good victory for us. We have two games on the road this week and that makes it tough, so to start off with a win like this is important," Himmelberg said.
All five starters for the Lady Argonauts scored ten or more. Junoir Morgan Grier led all scorers with 13 points, including three 3-pointers and was followed by Legel with 12 points and a team leading 12 rebounds.
Junior Nneka Nnadi and sophomore Stephanie McDonagh each added 11, and junior Whitney George had 10. George also led the team with four assists and contributed five rebounds.
Outside of the difference in shooting percentages, the rest of the statistics were mostly even. Both teams finished with 16 turnovers and six blocks and the rebounding margin went ever so slightly to RMC, 41-39.
The win brings UGF's record to 17-8 (8-5) and maintains their tie with MSU-Northern for third place in the Frontier Conference with five conference games remaining. Next up for the Lady Argos will be a road game against Montana Western on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
