BILLINGS, Mont. – Bismarck State women's basketball closed out its Frontier Conference road trip on Saturday evening with an 85-61 loss to No. 15 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) at the Fortin Education Center. It was the fourth consecutive game against a ranked conference opponent for the team, as they battled against Rocky, their lone win of the young season from back on Nov. 21. The Mystics dropped to 1-9 overall and 1-6 in league play, while the Battlin' Bears improved to 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in conference action.
Rocky set the tone early, shooting better than 53 percent in the opening quarter to build a 22-14 lead. Bismarck State responded in the second, matching Rocky point-for-point in a 22-22 frame behind a 9-for-17 effort from the field and 3-for-7 shooting from deep. The Mystics cut the deficit to eight at halftime, trailing 44-36 after shooting nearly 53 percent from the field in the quarter.
The third quarter proved decisive, as Rocky Mountain pulled away by outscoring BSC 22-13. Rocky shot 57.1 percent in the period and pushed the lead to double digits for good, while holding the Mystics to just 2-of-18 shooting from the floor. Rocky Mountain continued to extend its advantage in the fourth to secure the win.
Kennedy Stormer led Bismarck State with a game-high 20 points, going 8-for-12 from the free-throw line and adding five rebounds. Harper Harris provided a spark off the bench with 14 points on four made 3-pointers, while Aleah McPherson finished with 10 points. Ashley Martodam chipped in eight points and six rebounds as the Mystics scored 27 bench points on the night.
Rocky Mountain was paced by Isabelle Heggem, who poured in 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double. Angelina Cavanaugh added 18 points, and Paige Wasson followed with 17 as the Battlin' Bears shot 54.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. Rocky Mountain held a 42-24 advantage on the glass and scored 36 points in the paint.
The Mystics will look to recoup during the Holiday break as they have 18 days to recover before their next matchup. BSC will close the month with a Dec. 31 crosstown trip to face UMary (N.D.), and will return home on Friday, Jan. 2, at 5 p.m. to host Montana Tech.
Check out the women's schedule for information on how to follow and watch the team during their upcoming games.
Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.
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