GREAT FALLS, Mont. – A missed free throw and a blocked buzzer beater prevented Lady Argo basketball from ending a 10-game losing streak. UGF let another fourth quarter lead slip away, losing to Rocky Mountain College 63-60.
UGF held a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter, but continued its habit of losing late leads. Less than three minutes into the period, a 5-point Lady Argo lead was negated, with one minute left, the Battlin' Bears held a 61-55 advantage.
That margin closed to 4 points with a mid-range jumper from freshman Jenna Randich and then a steal and transition layup from senior Nneka Nnadi brought the score within two.
The Lady Argos got another big stop on the defensive end, and then, with a chance to tie or take the least, Nnadi got fouled and went to the free-throw line for two shots with 36 second left. The senior hit the first, but missed the second, forcing UGF to foul Rocky with 11 seconds left. RMC made both of the ensuing free throws, and a buzzer beating attempt to tie the game was blocked to finalize the result.
A quick start for UGF began the night with beacon of hope for a Lady Argo victory. Junior guard Stephanie McDonagh and senior guard Nneka Nnadi were efficient and effective on the offensive end to start the game. The two combined for 12 of UGF's first 16 points and led the team to an early 9-point lead.
While UGF's duo dominated the first five minutes of play, Rocky dominated the second five minutes. The Battlin' Bears methodically worked away the Lady Argo lead, and finished the quarter up 17-16.
Both offenses sputtered through the second quarter, combining for just nine made field goals, but a slightly better shooter percentage in the period for RMC, meant a 3-point lead for the Battlin' Bears at the end of the first half.
If not for the efforts of senior Kalani Ulufale, that gap could have been much wider. The center came off the bench to score 6 of UGF's 10 points in the second quarter, using her strength, and ability to finish through traffic to become the team's only real scoring threat in those 10 minutes.
McDonagh and Nnadi again found a rhythm in the third quarter, combining for 10 points, all of which came in first six minutes of the period. Their efforts returned the lead to UGF's side, and from there, senior guard Darah Huertas-Vining took over.
In the final few minutes of the period, Huertas-Vining hit two timely 3-point shots and UGF's defense tightened up to give the Lady Argos a 45-40 lead heading into the final period.
That final period, however, has been a specter of sorts for UGF during conference play and it once again haunted the Lady Argos against the Battlin' Bears.
Over a third of Rocky Mountain's turnovers occurred in the third quarter, and the Battlin' Bears shot 30 percent from the field, while UGF shot 41 percent. All of those good things went away, in the fourth. UGF's shooting percentage dropped to 31 in the final period, while Rocky's skyrocketed to 64.
McDonagh scored 4 more points in the fourth quarter to give her a game high of 17 points. She was also game's leading rebounder, collecting her fifth double-double of the season with 10 boards. To go along with that, she also led UGF with 3 steals.
Right behind her in terms of scoring was Nnadi, who finished with 16, to go along with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Huertas-Vining finished with 10 points, and 3 assists.
A loss in the penultimate game of the season brings UGF's season record to 12-16 (1-16) with an 11-game losing streak. The Lady Argos will try to end the season on a high note, finishing the year at home against Montana Western on Saturday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m. for Senior Night.
