BISMARCK, N.D. – Jordan Derby came off the bench to provide an inside presence that was missing early and finished with a double-double Thursday as Bismarck State College fought off short-handed Lake Region State College 83-68 in a Mon-Dak Conference women's basketball game at the Armory.

The 6-foot-3 Derby scored 14 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Her presence inside disrupted the Royals' transition game, allowing the Mystics (5-3 Mon-Dak, 8-6 overall) to take several double-digit leads, one as large as 24 points. Derby made 6 of 11 shots from the field and both free throw attempts. 

BSC scoring leaders Sydney Gustavsson and Ashton Kinnebrew were again centerpieces of the Mystic offense but they weren't alone. Katherine Fox had 18 points and seven rebounds.

Gustavsson led the way with 27 points and seven rebounds. She made four 3-pointers. Kinnebrew added 21 points and seven assists. She was 4-for-5 from the line and as a team BSC shot 16-for-20.

Lake Region (5-3, 13-4) saw its six-game snapped by a late BSC run after it had closed within seven points with just over three minutes to play. The Royals were missing three players who were suspended for two games after an altercation during their most recent game.

LRSC scored 14 straight points between the first and second quarters to take a 22-18 lead. Derby entered the game and by halftime the Mystics led 37-26. Derby had eight points and five rebounds by the break. 

BSC's lead grew to 57-33 and it was 65-45 with a quarter left to play. But with 5:21 left, Lake Region leading scorer Ray'ven Robinson (18 points) cut the deficit to 69-62. It was all BSC from there. 

BSC plays next at Dakota College at Bottineau on Jan. 12. It has won six straight games outside of Arizona.

Full statistics (https://bscmystics.com/sports/wbkb/2022-23/boxscores/20230112_fpf8.xml?view=boxscore)
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